Whistl, UK delivery management company Whistl, has found that international online purchases in key markets could fall by up to a quarter as a result of COVID 19.
The survey asked consumers in the UK, USA, France, Germany, Ireland and Australia about the impact of COVID 19 on international online purchases. It found 24% will decrease buying online from international retailers in next 12 months, 61% will remain the same and 15% likely to increase.
Germany, the UK and Ireland are the least likely of the surveyed countries to allow the Coronavirus to impact their buying preferences and will continue to buy from abroad.
In contrast a third of US online shoppers say they are unlikely to continue buying from abroad.
Melanie Darvall, director marketing and communications for Whistl, says “Our snapshot of consumer attitudes to international online shopping as a result of COVID 19 highlights some interesting trends for online etailers around the world. It shows for example that if you are exporting to the US, it will be harder to make a sale and a greater effort is needed to build trust and confidence with this consumer than, say to, one in Germany.
“Overall, it reinforces the need to understand the country by country dynamics when selling internationally. Etailers should keep up to date with market changes through their delivery partners who as well as understanding the logistics of delivery are also up to speed on changes in consumer demand.”