E-commerce platforms are seeing a spike in the orders they are receiving since the past week, after a sharp surge in the covid cases is being witnessed along with the fresh curbs announced by the state governments.
The orders for essential items such as daily grocery, packaged food and beverages, soaps and hygiene products have doubled in the last weeks, reported The Economic Times.
Executives who gave byte to the publication said limited operating hours at physical stores and consumers staying indoors have helped the online platforms to book more orders. They said a 10-15 percent spike in online sales across categories is seen combined with the demand for chocolates and beverages.
The figures of online sales may see a new jump if states impose harsher restrictions in the wake of rising Covid-19 cases.
Online marketplaces, distributors, and manufacturers have all stated they are ready to handle any surge in demand for essential items. During the current third Covid wave in the nation, most online platforms are seeing a possible increase in sales momentum.
Packaged snacks, sanitizers, hygiene products, and N95 masks are among the high-demand items, according to the survey. Meanwhile, demand for sweets and beverages has increased twofold over the past few days.
The rise in the demand from customers to shop on online platforms can be viewed from the perspective of a couple of daily life examples such as people who are working from home do not get the time to step out and shop or they avoid going outside to shop for buying essential items.
There are restrictions on the shops in the marketplace to operate full time as they used to during the normal days, leading to people opting for online platforms. Also, many are seeing a possibility of lockdown, hence stocking up essential items at their homes.
Online sales are likely to spike in key cities till the situation becomes less worrisome, according to experts.
Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala, Rajasthan Karnataka are some of the states hit hard by this highly transmissible virus.
India on Friday crossed the one-lakh mark in its daily Covid-19 tally, with 1,17,100 new reported cases in the last 24 hours. As per the latest updated data with the Union ministry of health and family affairs, the countryβs current active caseload stands at 3,71,363.
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Given the situation, several states have imposed reasonable restrictions, including weekend curfew and night curfew. With economic activity impacted by such restrictions, room for increased sales of online and e-commerce platforms is there.