{"id":2814,"date":"2020-10-07T09:30:51","date_gmt":"2020-10-07T08:30:51","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.allsee-tech.com\/digital-signage-blog\/?p=2814"},"modified":"2020-10-06T15:35:43","modified_gmt":"2020-10-06T14:35:43","slug":"how-digital-signage-can-help-shops-reverse-the-shift-to-e-commerce","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.allsee-tech.com\/digital-signage-blog\/how-digital-signage-can-help-shops-reverse-the-shift-to-e-commerce\/","title":{"rendered":"How Digital Signage Can Help Shops Reverse the Shift to E-Commerce"},"content":{"rendered":"

E-Commerce boom<\/h4>\n

It comes as no surprise that online retailers saw a huge boom in sales during COVID-19 lockdowns. In fact, the UK saw a decade\u2019s worth of growth in internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales in just five months at the start of 2020 (see Figure 1<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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Figure 1.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Why did this happen?<\/h4>\n

With non-essential shops forced to close, online shopping was the only way consumers could purchase a lot of products. Even for the shops that were able to stay open, many people felt anxiety and time pressure whilst in-store so preferred to stay home.<\/p>\n

This was only compounded by the fact that the vast majority of people were either furloughed or working from home, which meant they were more available for deliveries.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Will this change last forever?<\/h4>\n

Despite recent trends, many people do still prefer shopping in-store. In fact, just 27% of shoppers find online shopping a more positive experience (source: Kantar COVID-19 Barometer). Furthermore, 44% of people would rather purchase clothes in a real store than online, with this figure rising to 58% when talking about DIY products (source: Kantar LinkQ POV on e-commerce survey).<\/p>\n

Online shopping has its perks, but in-store shopping will always have a place in people\u2019s hearts. Seeing a product in the flesh before you buy it, returning things easily and receiving your refund instantly, browsing and discovering things you\u2019re interested in \u2013 these are all areas where e-commerce just can\u2019t compete.<\/p>\n

When physical stores re-opened, this preference for in-store shopping was clear from the fall in internet sales as a percentage of total retail sales (see Figure 2<\/strong>).<\/p>\n

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Figure 2.<\/strong><\/p>\n

This shows that the sudden explosion in e-commerce is <\/strong>reversible. Retailers can undo the conditions that caused online shopping to boom at the beginning of this year and bring shoppers back to the high street. But how?<\/p>\n

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How can digital signage help?<\/h4>\n

With the risk of catching or spreading coronavirus in the back of everyone\u2019s mind at all times, browsing physical stores had become an unappealing prospect for many. However, by using digital signage to keep buildings COVID secure, retailers can make shopping an enjoyable experience again by helping people feel safe whilst out and about.<\/p>\n

This includes\u2026<\/p>\n