Not that you really need the figures, but data from market insight group Springboard (via the Guardian) revealed high-street traffic grew 175% week-on-week on Monday, and 471% year-on-year.
But what does this mean for online shopping?
We’ve all gotten cozy with buying products online throughout the pandemic. While brick–and–mortar high street icons such as Debenhams have had to shut their doors for good (having been open for over 200 years), online retail has never been stronger.
In January 2021, the proportion of good bought online spiked to a record 35.2% of all retail, according to the Office for National Statistics. The graph shows the spike in online shopping during the first lockdown.
But it would be foolish for such e-commerce giants to get too comfortable. They’ll have to get competitive instead, though it won’t be easy.
The challenge will be twofold: keeping the attention of shoppers who want to return to the high street – and more difficult yet – staying relevant as people spend less time online.
I suspect they will do it with bigger sales and discounts than you’d usually find over the summer, with a focus on services you can’t typically get in-store like buy now pay later schemes, free next-day (or even same-day) delivery, as well as extra discounts from social media posts.
Equally, brick-and-mortar stores may continue what they’ve already started: to incentivise shoppers with exclusive in-store discounts. Competition is good when it means discounts and offers: the consumer ends up the winner.
The pandemic has changed retail forever – let’s watch and see what happens next.
Somrata researches and writes about the best tech deals to help readers make smart, informed buying decisions. She’s an expert on accessories and also reviews laptops, phones, audio and other devices.
