In scenarios where COVID-19 is adversely affecting a majority of the business sectors around the world, e-commerce was given no less treatment. With lockdowns being imposed by the government in order to contain the spread of virus in the community, the whole e-commerce business is feeling the heat as there is a persisting supply and shipping challenge. An important question right now is how e-commerce during COVID-19 will be impacted? And, what will happen once all of this gets over?
Tough Spot for Online Grocery Stores
The nation is facing a draconic lockdown in order to contain the COVID-19 spread. As a result, people have started ordering their essential supplies through online grocery shops. Situations started becoming grim with migrant workers returning to their homes and villages.
A sudden surge in demand has put online groceries stores such as Grofers and Bigbasket in a tough spot. According to an online survey conducted by LocalCircles, 79% people said delivery of groceries ordered online has been either delayed or cancelled. This scenario has cropped up all because of an acute shortage of manpower which these online stores are facing.
Online Pharmacies
Leaders, across the globe, are urging people to remain in safety of their walls in the crisis scenarios of COVID-19. A majority of the consumers are also stocking up their medicines as a precaution in case they catch the novel disease.
Online medical stores such as Netmeds, 1mg and PharmEasy have seen an unprecedented surge in sales across cities amid the COVID-19 crisis. People are buying medicines online for the fear of getting infected by the coronavirus if they buy it from normal brick and mortar stores. A similar shortage of manpower has made meeting the demand a difficult task, despite the challenge the e-pharmacies have been working hard to ensure that people get ample supply of medicines.
Limited Room for Operations
E-commerce giants like Amazon, Flipkart and Snapdeal have been told by the government that they are allowed to service only essentials which include face masks, hand wash, and sanitizers and sale of other non-essentials will be banned until further notice. Apart from this, e-commerce platforms are also facing difficulties in getting their supplies because inter-state borders have been sealed, although the trucks carrying essential items like vegetables, mils, rice etc have been exempted from this, they are still finding it hard to transport goods to the warehouse.
Things are definitely not on the bright side for e-commerce as the world struggles for a fighting chance in this battle against corona virus. To find out more about e-commerce platforms in India, search for them on The Company Check!
