Trade, the return after confinement
Posted: Thu Dec 26, 2024 4:49 am
Over the last two months, we have been living in a completely different reality to what we were used to. If before we were used to walking freely through the streets and shops, and interacting with other people without fear, 2020 has challenged our entire daily routine. From one moment to the next, without much warning, we began to question all our habits and daily routines, being forced into a lockdown that prevented us from contacting friends and family, as well as from going to places with large crowds of people, being limited to the essentials to protect everyone's health .
A pandemic that has generated a major global health crisis has also kenya whatsapp number database in a major business problem. Due to the lack of customers or the risk of contagion, many companies have seen their activity reduced or suspended , resulting in major drops in revenue .
Trade in the time of Covid-19
Covid -19 has had serious consequences for the retail sector . According to Eurostat data , in March sales volume fell by 9.2% in the eurozone and 8.2% in the European Union, compared to the same period last year, and by 11.2% in the eurozone and 10.4% in the European Union, compared to February. According to the same source, in Portugal, this sector registered a drop of 6.8% in March year-on-year and 9.1 % compared to February.
Another study, in this case carried out by INE, on monitoring the impact of the pandemic on companies in the week of April 27 to May 1 , shows that in the trade sector 84% of companies remained in operation, while 15% had closed temporarily and 1% had closed permanently.
The gradual reopening of trade
With the spread of the virus apparently under control, a new phase for the national economy is now beginning. With the state of emergency lifted, the various sectors are now gradually reopening with the aim of slowly trying to return to the normal pace we had experienced up until now. Thus, according to the government's calendar, the following dates have been set for the opening of various commercial spaces and restaurants with mandatory use of masks and other conditions:
May 4 - Opening of local businesses with doors open to the street and an area of up to 200 m2, hairdressers, manicurists and similar establishments, and bookstores and car dealerships (regardless of the area).
May 18 - Opening of stores with doors open to the street and an area of up to 400 m2 or parts of stores up to 400 m2 (or larger by decision of the local authority), restaurants, cafes and pastry shops (with permission for terraces).
June 1 - Opening of stores with an area greater than 400 m2 or located in shopping centers.
What are the trends for commerce in the post-Covid period?
If Covid -19 has brought several obstacles and difficulties to the retail sector , the truth is that it has accelerated certain innovations that were already emerging as trends for the future and forced business managers and owners to reinvent themselves to face the difficulties.
As we begin to return to normality , the Trendwatching platform has highlighted some trends that could mark this post-Covid period:
Virtual experience economy - Although virtual reality is already a growing trend in the retail sector, this period of absence of physical stores has increased the need to test and try out products virtually.
Streaming purchases - If direct sales on social networks were already a reality in recent months, this concept, combined with e-commerce, is expected to see growth in the near future, allowing people to find out about products in real time, and interact to clarify doubts or learn more about certain details.
Virtual companies - In the absence of a store assistant ready to give an opinion or clarify doubts, in the future the growth of chatbots and virtual assistants is expected to make the shopping experience more personalized and complete.
Ambient wellness - Recent times have drawn people's attention to personal hygiene, health and some daily habits that can harm well-being. Therefore, this could be an important point for some retailers to stand out, offering increased attention to these points even after the pandemic.
A-commerce - Artificial intelligence and robotics will increasingly enter the retail sector, enabling a more automated experience that will reduce contact, which could be useful in certain conditions and businesses.
Digitalization as a future bet for the trade sector
In order to face the difficulties brought about by the pandemic, many companies have found a way to maintain their activity and reach new customers through digital means. During this period, many companies have created their own online store to sell their products, have invested more in social media to promote their products, and have used cloud tools to store files, make remote sales or meet with customers, suppliers and employees. This has been a way of forcing the introduction of digitalization in several companies, which now have the opportunity to continue exploring the digital world in order to create another sales channel for their products.
A pandemic that has generated a major global health crisis has also kenya whatsapp number database in a major business problem. Due to the lack of customers or the risk of contagion, many companies have seen their activity reduced or suspended , resulting in major drops in revenue .
Trade in the time of Covid-19
Covid -19 has had serious consequences for the retail sector . According to Eurostat data , in March sales volume fell by 9.2% in the eurozone and 8.2% in the European Union, compared to the same period last year, and by 11.2% in the eurozone and 10.4% in the European Union, compared to February. According to the same source, in Portugal, this sector registered a drop of 6.8% in March year-on-year and 9.1 % compared to February.
Another study, in this case carried out by INE, on monitoring the impact of the pandemic on companies in the week of April 27 to May 1 , shows that in the trade sector 84% of companies remained in operation, while 15% had closed temporarily and 1% had closed permanently.
The gradual reopening of trade
With the spread of the virus apparently under control, a new phase for the national economy is now beginning. With the state of emergency lifted, the various sectors are now gradually reopening with the aim of slowly trying to return to the normal pace we had experienced up until now. Thus, according to the government's calendar, the following dates have been set for the opening of various commercial spaces and restaurants with mandatory use of masks and other conditions:
May 4 - Opening of local businesses with doors open to the street and an area of up to 200 m2, hairdressers, manicurists and similar establishments, and bookstores and car dealerships (regardless of the area).
May 18 - Opening of stores with doors open to the street and an area of up to 400 m2 or parts of stores up to 400 m2 (or larger by decision of the local authority), restaurants, cafes and pastry shops (with permission for terraces).
June 1 - Opening of stores with an area greater than 400 m2 or located in shopping centers.
What are the trends for commerce in the post-Covid period?
If Covid -19 has brought several obstacles and difficulties to the retail sector , the truth is that it has accelerated certain innovations that were already emerging as trends for the future and forced business managers and owners to reinvent themselves to face the difficulties.
As we begin to return to normality , the Trendwatching platform has highlighted some trends that could mark this post-Covid period:
Virtual experience economy - Although virtual reality is already a growing trend in the retail sector, this period of absence of physical stores has increased the need to test and try out products virtually.
Streaming purchases - If direct sales on social networks were already a reality in recent months, this concept, combined with e-commerce, is expected to see growth in the near future, allowing people to find out about products in real time, and interact to clarify doubts or learn more about certain details.
Virtual companies - In the absence of a store assistant ready to give an opinion or clarify doubts, in the future the growth of chatbots and virtual assistants is expected to make the shopping experience more personalized and complete.
Ambient wellness - Recent times have drawn people's attention to personal hygiene, health and some daily habits that can harm well-being. Therefore, this could be an important point for some retailers to stand out, offering increased attention to these points even after the pandemic.
A-commerce - Artificial intelligence and robotics will increasingly enter the retail sector, enabling a more automated experience that will reduce contact, which could be useful in certain conditions and businesses.
Digitalization as a future bet for the trade sector
In order to face the difficulties brought about by the pandemic, many companies have found a way to maintain their activity and reach new customers through digital means. During this period, many companies have created their own online store to sell their products, have invested more in social media to promote their products, and have used cloud tools to store files, make remote sales or meet with customers, suppliers and employees. This has been a way of forcing the introduction of digitalization in several companies, which now have the opportunity to continue exploring the digital world in order to create another sales channel for their products.