Online shopping allows us to be savvy consumers.
By Chong Wei Ling
JOHOR BAHRU: A nationwide Movement Control Order (MCO) was implemented since March 2020 and it has a lead to a change in our daily lives as well as the upsurge in e-commerce.
Since the start of the pandemic, the annual revenue of e-commerce platform (Lazada and Shopee) increased dramatically, and the revenue growth of Shopee was reaching up to 110% in the Q1 of 2020 compared to 2019.
Bank transfer as the preferred online shopping payment method, there is an upward tendency in the numbers of online transactions and the e-commerce rate, it has indirectly proved that most of the Malaysian are more likely to shop online instead of offline shop and retail.
The data shown that the frequency of Malaysian doing online shopping has increased during the Covid-19 pandemic; however, the tendency of online shopping had lasted for a long time. Thus, it also draws the public's attention that how Covid-19 had affected an individual’s shopping behaviour as well as attitude before and after the pandemic began.
Michelle Peong Wei Ting, 21, a Media and Creative Studies student in Universiti Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR), said that she started to do more online shopping than before.
“It is safer to shop online than physically in a store now,” she added.
Vouchers and free shipping are Michelle’s main concerns when doing a shopping online.
“To reduce the risk of infection of Corona-virus, I do more online shopping compared to offline store,” said Yap Hui Min, 21, a Business Administration student studied at INTI International University.
As an implication of the pandemic, Yap had changed into a more conscious consumer than before by only buying practical and essential products.
Convenience and variety of products make Yap shops online more often. Images by Yap
Chong Wei Theng, 28, who works as a customer service mentioned that there was a transformation in her shopping attitude before and after the pandemic.
“I am buying more on food and daily necessity, such as grocery and cooking ingredients, after the outbreak of the pandemic.”
Under current circumstances, she thinks that keep doing online shopping is a more appropriate option as the situation are chaotic right now; meanwhile she still possesses an intention for visiting the physical store.
“I will continue to do online shopping; but, after Covid-19 pandemic is over I do not mind going out to do some window shopping or actual shopping,” she added.
Fresh ingredients bought from online fresh market make Chong cooks daily at home. Images by Chong.
Indeed, online shopping reduces the chance of getting in touch with strangers. Public are getting a higher possibility of being infected when going out as the asymptomatic infections keep increasing. Hence, we are protecting ourselves and our family through online shopping.
Nevertheless, there are also public who start an online shopping with different motivation. Due to the restriction and in cooperating with the MCO standard operating procedures (SOPs), publics are mandatory to stay at home.
Online shopping had begun to be an entertaining activity to cover the free time of Tan Ke Rou, 22, a Media and Creative Studies student who study in UTAR.
“I will start online shopping when I have nothing to do,” she said.
Tan will maximize the usage of money to buy the valuable items with the least cost.
“I will place the item into shopping cart and buy it when there is a promotion on going.”
Online shopping makes Tan no need to queue up in physical store.
On the other hands, there is a huge variation on shopping attitude as well as behaviour between students who have an economic dependence on their parents and a working adult.
Wong Lee Mee, a 50-years-old freelancer, who have started online and physical shopping before the Covid-19 outbreak. The reason that fostering her to start an online shopping entirely is the fast delivery service.
“I can receive the purchased items at my door on the next day. ” she said.
Since a freelance does not have fixed working hours, Wong is benefiting from the online shopping.
“It provided me with a more convenient way to shop, saving me the time of looking for a parking lot and visiting the store one after another.” Wong said.
Unlike physical shopping, there are more than a dozen sellers are selling for a certain product. In order to refrain from facing a scam or fraud by merchants, Wong also conduct research before making a transaction.
“I can compare the price, looking at the reviews and comment to identify the quality of product whether is good or not.”
Overall, it is undeniable that online shopping gives the public a more safety way to shop and purchase any required stuff especially in this period. By shopping online, we are safeguarding ourselves and our family as the confirmed cases keep increasing. There is also a positive transformation of publics online shopping attitude and behavior due to the Covid-19 recession.
Online shopping is so convenient as we can buy anything just a click!
My family is frequently buying gardening tools online now, haha.
Online shopping is indeed convenient! Currently receiving pakages from my door once per week 🤣😜
Online shopping is definitely more convenient since we don't have to make time to get ready to go out, drive, queue, etc.
online shopping is more safe nowadays