E-commerce and Consumer Trends

To profit from e-commerce platforms, it is necessary to be aware of the challenges posed by the behavioral tendencies of users

The pandemic still causes serious damage worldwide. Unfortunately. But some sectors are reacting well from an economic point of view. E-commerce is one of them. According to research carried out by Ebit|Nielsen, this segment should grow 26% in 2021. And this is a trend that should not decrease in the coming years. In the same survey, it was found that 95% of Brazilians intend to continue shopping online when we return to the “old normal”.

Those who intend to profit from e-commerce platforms then need to be aware of the challenges posed by the behavioral tendencies of users. There are so many new technologies that IT (Information Technology) departments will have considerable work going forward. See now some of these changes that are underway.

   1. Artificial Intelligence and Big Data

• They are mechanisms that make it possible to predict user behavior based, always ethically, on Internet users’ consumption habits, giving the company a shortcut to winning over its customers and the customer the opportunity to buy what they need without wasting time on the Internet.

   2. Custom purchases

• Allowing the consumer to customize their products can win a clientele that wants to stand out from the rest. This needs to be done with low cost and perfection at the time of delivery, without passing on the wrong order. Nike , for example, is already doing this. In addition to personal products, such as shoes and clothing, this trend is also affecting those who work with decoration and furniture.

   3. AR – commerce for better shopping experience

• The term AR stands for Augmented Reality, or in Portuguese, Augmented Reality. It is a software that allows, among other things, to insert virtual objects in images of real environments. In this way, it is possible, for example, to see how a sofa will look in your living room, entering the remote environment of a shopping site. It is a visualization tool for consumers who want to buy a certain product, thus personalizing the consumption experience. According to the consulting firm ReportsnReports, e-commerce companies should invest 247 billion reais in this technology by 2023. It can be expensive. But it’s worth.

   4. Chatbots and Conversational Commerce 

• Conversational Commerce, or “chat retail”, is a big bet for companies and marketplaces. With the use of AI (Artificial Intelligence) sales robots (computer programs that simulate human interaction) initiate a conversation with the customer to carry out the first service through a chatbot, that is, a conversation written digitally. This strategy allows for great savings for the company, in addition to welcoming the public quickly and efficiently. Implementing it usually brings good results. 

   5. Voice commerce

• Virtual shopping assistants are winning the sympathy of consumers more and more. This has encouraged navigation with voice commands. Amazon’s Alexa Echo Dot already allows purchases on the company’s marketplace in this way. 

   6. Live commerce

• We are talking about live broadcasts on e-commerce platforms. A technique that earned 170 billion dollars in 2020. This eliminates the friction between entertainment and purchase, allowing the user to purchase the product with just one click. Another sales option

   7. Re-commerce

• This trend will please anyone who likes a thrift store. Re-commerce is the virtual sale of used objects. An unquestionable trend in times of crisis and at a time when the discourse of social sustainability is on the rise, thus avoiding waste. Troc, a startup dedicated to this business niche, earned one million reais in just 10 months.

   8. Shoppable

• The objective here is to make life easier for the consumer, who does not need to enter a marketplace to make a purchase. This can be done through the supplier company’s application or a QR Code. This technology is available on the Instagram store. In the United States, the NBC roled out Shoppable TV Ads was recently launched , which allows the public to buy clothes, accessories and objects used in series and movies through a QR Code. Inserting products in these entertainment pieces can be interesting.

   9. Mobile commerce

• According to the Statista website , by 2023 73% of online purchases will be made through mobile devices, such as cell phones and tablets . That is why it is so important that e-commerce platforms have a responsive environment, which is friendly to the users of these devices.  

   10. Subscription clubs as a business model

• This modality is becoming more and more popular in the digital environment. Associates take a certain amount per month, semester or year and in return receive products regularly. Wine , for example , operates in the wine business and YVY Brasil with cleaning products.

   11. Streaming services

• Services like Netflix are expected to grow exponentially in 2021. Not just for entertainment, but also as sales channels. It is worth paying attention to this possibility to convey your brand.

   12. Distance education

• The pandemic isolated students and teachers, forcing a digital revolution in this segment. Face-to-face classes will eventually return, as human interactivity has STILL not been overcome. But distance learning courses are here to stay. Especially with the need for professional requalification of everyone within a virtual environment. This works for everyone. Even for those who work with e-commerce.

   13. DIY (Do it yourself ) – Do it yourself

• Another very interesting trend is the niche of products aimed at those who like to do things with their own hands. This is not just a hobby, but also an economy. This occurs in all segments, from Culinary to Civil Construction.

   14. New role of Social Networks

• Social networks are excellent sales channels. But they also serve as a stage for the dissemination of the most outlandish ideas. They are already policing themselves in this regard. But this is an ongoing process. Individuals are changing. Companies and Social Networks must also adapt.

   15. Instant Payment

• With the launch of the PIX a series of modifications had to be implemented. The method, simple and efficient, works 24 hours a day, can be identified at the same time and speeds up the delivery of the product. Furthermore, it demonstrates more than reasonable security against fraud.

   16. Anti-fraud solution for new means of payment

• Yes, PIX is safe. For now. Every new modality presents opportunities for fraudsters. That’s why it’s important to be prepared for hackers on duty.

   17. New payment options at checkout

• In Brazil we have 45 million people without bank accounts that move 800 billion reais a year. Creating new payment options is a creative challenge for merchants and IT specialists.

   18. Maintenance of old payment methods

• The focus is the customer. Any age or income bracket. With or without credit card. With or without bank account. That’s why the old ticket must continue to exist. Treating these people with sympathy can attract a considerable percentage of the audience.

   19. Resolutive service

• When the shopping experience is bad, the tendency to lose the customer is huge. A Salsify study identified that 35% of customers chose to pay more on another site after having a negative review on the previous transaction.

   20. Consumer Engagement

• Finally, there is no point in having a presence on the internet if the consumer is not attracted to the company. This engagement occurs when the public identifies social responsibility and efficiency in commercial dealings in the brand. The production of advertising pieces in different formats is vital in building this image, the so famous Omnichannel !

We know that there are countless trends mentioned here, but if the consolidation of any of these concepts is one of your challenges, and even more so when the subject is intralogistics (that is, logistics within companies), please contact us. Chat with us.

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