Most Indians may opt for online buying in 9 months: survey

29 Apr '20

2 min read

Pic: Shutterstock

The novel coronavirus outbreak and the subsequent lockdown in India will lead to a major shift in the shopping behaviour of consumers, according to a survey report published by by information technology company Capgemini, which foresees the consumer appetite for online shopping rising from 46 per cent now to 64 per cent over the next six to nine months.

With the lockdown implemented across the country, there has been a surge in the use of online channels and the trend will continue even after the lockdown is lifted, Indian media reported citing the survey results.

"Over 46 per cent of Indian consumers will shop at physical retail stores compared to 59 per cent who shopped at physical retail stores before the pandemic. 72 per cent of Indian consumers will prefer to purchase from retailers which will offer delivery assurance as well as assurance of compensation for future cancellations in next 6-9 months," the survey, conducted in the first two weeks of April, said.

Most consumers, it said, would like the practices adopted by leading e-commerce companies.

About 74 per cent Indian consumers surveyed said they will prefer to purchase from retailers offering delivery at flexible timing in the next 6-9 months and 89 per cent said they will be more cautious about issues of cleanliness, health and safety after the pandemic.

Seventy eight per cent of Indian consumers said they will prefer to increase usage of digital payments going ahead after the crisis. Around 65 per cent of respondents said they will increase the purchase of groceries and household supplies during the next six to nine months.

Three-fourths of the Indian consumers are highly optimistic about recovery in the next six months, compared to 48 per cent of consumers worldwide.

Fibre2Fashion News Desk (DS)

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