E-Commerce continues to be well-positioned during this time of uncertainty

professional profile

April 30, 2020

by a professional from East Carolina University - College of Business in Cleveland, OH, USA

As we now pass 45 days of this uncertain time in the U.S., I continue to be fascinated that so many consumers are discovering the benefits of online shopping like never before. Sure, there are a few behemoths out there, but it's also been interesting to see niche companies emerging like never before. Perhaps this is a longer term thesis?

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Reply by a searcher
from University of Toronto in Toronto, ON, Canada
E-commerce is in a clear secular upward trend, growing market share each year. Some holdouts in rural/underdeveloped areas will eventually be served as fulfillment becomes even more efficient in the future. These "holdout" areas are currently served by local General Stores like Walmart/Dollar General/Dollar Tree in North America. As payment and fulfillment options eventually drive towards a frictionless/negligible cost, these areas will too be served by e-commerce. COVID was a test of this thesis as it entailed a physical shut down, an economic downturn, a pull forward of demand sequentially.
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Reply by a professional
from Yale University in Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
In India, small retailers have come together to launch an ecommerce platform which combines brick and mortar with online. they are actually hoping to combat the ecommerce platforms. the idea is that the small retailers who are all local have no reason to fear each other and they are hoping that by coming together they will have the muscle to take on the Amazon like companies locally. The government too is supporting this retailer led initiative. .Here's a link. https://www.shopkirana.com/
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