The e-commerce sector is vital during the current Coronavirus outbreak. With people increasingly being restricted to their homes, home deliveries allow people to minimize the risks to catch the virus. Online retailers provide citizens with essential products, it is therefore imperative to keep the borders open for cross-border product supplies and sales.
“Despite a 50% global increase in the use of Facebook-owned platforms “Facebook, Instagram, Whatsapp and Messenger” since the start of the pandemic, the greats of the online advertising market, Facebook and Google, declare that the Coronavirus will have a massive impact on their income this year”. (E-Commerce Europe report, March, 2020)
“Meanwhile, a study shared by sbgonline.com found that 36% of sellers predict that their sales will actually decrease due to supply chain problems, shipping delays and declining demand.
On the other hand 42% of e-merchants cite concerns about consumers’ confidence. It is an economic indicator that measures the level of consumer optimism regarding their future financial situation and the general state of the economy.
However, they do not agree on the magnitude of the impact. Almost 60% believe there will be an impact. Twenty-two percent expect the impact to be significant and 20% expect a limited impact”. (El Bahili, March, 2020)
