Christmas has made it clear once again: due to the coronavirus pandemic, Germans are increasingly turning to online business. According to the “Corona Consumer Check” by IFH Cologne, almost half of all respondents did most of their Christmas shopping online. 2020 will go down in history as a record year for eCommerce. But the boom will not stop in 2021: we have compiled 6 trends for you that will further promote this development.
1. omnichannel: When online and brick-and-mortar go hand in hand
You can’t do it without one or the other: while brick-and-mortar retailers are increasingly switching to online business, many online-only retailers are also trying to establish a physical presence. Hybrid sales concepts are therefore in demand, which enable the merging of both channels (also known as “hybrid commerce”). Terms such as click & collect or curbside pick-up are becoming increasingly common and could be described as the “McDrive” of online business: Customers order their goods online and then pick them up on site. JTL-POS ERPConnected forms the optimal interface between your stationary point of sale system and your online business, as JTL-Wawi and JTL-POS can be seamlessly linked together. This also gives you access to other JTL software solutions, for example for warehousing and shipping processes, which enable you to run a successful omnichannel business.
2. social commerce: store directly on Instagram and co
This eCommerce trend has been around for several years, but the crisis has only really allowed it to gain momentum. Companies such as Ikea and Douglas are increasingly promoting the sale of their products directly via their Instagram store. The entire marketing funnel can be mapped via social media platforms: From browsing and discovering a product through to purchase and subsequent customer service. Thanks to the enormous reach, companies can tap into new customer groups and carry out targeted advertising measures. An additional plus is the active involvement of customers through surveys and the like, with which you can integrate them even more strongly into your brand.
3. voice commerce: ordering products via Alexa and co
Telling Alexa to order white sheets or cat food with a voice command is no longer a dream of the future. Smart home assistants can do much more than just start Spotify or turn on the lights. Slowly but surely, this sales channel is establishing itself in eCommerce. According to a study by MiQ, the volume of shopping via voice-controlled devices could triple within two years. Store operators should create the technical framework conditions early on in order to benefit from this.
4. sustainability and environmental protection: you decide where the customer buys
Sustainability has been an eCommerce trend for some time, but it is growing stronger every year. It is particularly on the rise among the younger generation and has a significant influence on purchasing behavior. Customers are prepared to pay more for products with otherwise comparable criteria if they have been produced sustainably. It can therefore be worthwhile for online retailers to make the value chain as environmentally friendly as possible and to emphasize this in the product or company description. Another development in the area of sustainability is re-commerce, where online retailers are increasingly focusing on the sale of used (luxury) products.
5. fulfilment: simply outsource warehousing and logistics
The pace of online business is growing rapidly. In order to keep pace with major competitors, warehousing and shipping need to be organized efficiently. If you don’t want to manage these tasks yourself, you can rely on another trend for 2021: fulfillment. But where can you find reliable service providers? The JTL-Fulfillment Network enables online retailers to contact verified fulfillment providers and compare their listings. The portal acts as the control center for your entire logistics: from finding the right fulfillment provider to starting the collaboration and smooth data exchange in day-to-day business. This saves valuable resources that you can then use for the further growth of your business.
6. grocery retail: digital shopping for daily requirements
Last but not least: digital food retail. This trend has also been accelerated by the coronavirus crisis. Anyone in quarantine will be delighted with an uncomplicated express delivery service such as Liefertüte.de. Customers can make their purchases online and receive them within a short time – 7 days a week from 2 pm to 2 am. Incidentally, the start-up, in which the rapper Eko Fresh is also involved, relies on JTL-Shop for an appealing presentation of goods and a quick and uncomplicated check-out.
ConclusionAs you can see, the 2020 boom is far from over and even old eCommerce trends are experiencing a new upswing. The fact is that it can be worthwhile for you to prepare your online business early on and benefit from new opportunities. JTL is your strong partner for getting in on tomorrow’s trends today. Stay tuned!
