The COVID-19 pandemic has left many permanent effects on our world, one prominent one is the growing popularity of online shopping. As stated in an article by United Nations Conference
on Trade and Development, COVID-19 has changed online shopping forever. According to UNCTAD’s study, “Following the pandemic, more than half of the survey’s respondents now shop online more frequently and rely on the internet more for news, health-related information and digital entertainment.”
Physical store locations struggled to draw in customers with the threat of a global pandemic looming, but many online stores thrived throughout COVID-19. Shein is one example of an online store that rose in popularity throughout lockdowns and social distancing, especially with younger generations through social media. At the same time, physically dependent stores like TJ Maxx struggled to keep up sales.
It will be interesting to see what lasting post-pandemic effects the future will hold on the shopping industry and how physical store locations will adapt to these changes.
