Ecommerce customers want free and fast shipping according to Shopify’s The Future of Commerce 2021 report. The report from the e-commerce platform shows trends in changes in consumer behavior in e-commerce.
According to the report, consumers are more likely to look for more interactions than mere transactions. More and more e-commerce customers are looking for speed, access to capital, faster payment methods with digital wallets, and more flexible payments like installments.
Shopify: Customers want free, fast shipping – and returns
This is especially true for younger consumers (between the ages of 18 and 34) who are more likely to discover and shop through social media. prefer to buy sustainable and environmentally friendly products; and support independent companies. Young consumers are expected to continue transforming the business landscape when e-commerce is billed.
The report analyzes data from more than 1 million Shopify retailers worldwide and an online survey of consumers in 11 countries. Some of the findings of the report include:
- 84% of consumers have shopped online since the pandemic, compared to 65% who shopped in-store.
- 53% of consumers avoided busy shopping hours or crowds in the past six months, and 46% said they felt uncomfortable while shopping in person.
- 79% of consumers said they would shop online regularly in six months. significantly more than the 57% who state that they will shop regularly in the store over the next six months.
- 67% of younger consumers have switched to spending online more than the 54% average since the COVID-19 pandemic.
Understand the e-commerce psyche
The report predicts that omnichannel features and experiences retailers introduced in 2020 will help them revitalize physical stores and attract more local customers to purchase from them.
Around 50% of e-shoppers are looking for independent companies that can support them. Reasons for doing this include supporting entrepreneurship, buying unique products, and good customer service. What’s even more encouraging is that 57% are ready to shop at new brands or stores for the first time.
The key for retailers is to highlight the benefits of their business models and take on features offered by large retailers to meet consumer needs, including fast and free shipping. When it comes to free delivery, 59% of consumers say that free delivery would improve their online shopping experience, followed by free returns (40%) and faster delivery (34%).
More than half (53%) of consumers are looking for environmentally friendly or sustainable products. Almost half (49%) nod at retailers who donate to a specific cause with every purchase.
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