As the COVID-19 pandemic kept people at home, consumers around the world spent
In 2020, e-commerce made up roughly
For retailers, restaurants and other businesses selling online became a way to survive the economic shutdowns resulting from the pandemic.
About 20% to 30% of the shift to e-commerce globally is expected to be permanent, the report said.
The report draws on sales activity in the
Nearly every retailer's online sales increased because of the pandemic, as curbside pickup or takeout deliveries became the norm.
The e-commerce gains in the future will depend on what a retailer sells and how they adapted their business model.
Grocery and discount stores will see the most dramatic and lasting shift to e-commerce, according to the report. Discount stores are defined as dollar stores, wholesale clubs and other retailers that sell to customers at near wholesale prices.
The report said grocers will likely retain about 70% to 80% of the digital sales gains generated during the peak of the pandemic, the report said. Discount stores will retain about 40% to 50%.
Online sales made up only a single-digit share of overall sales for grocers and discount stores before the pandemic.
Clothing stores, restaurants and sporting/toy stores saw the biggest initial spike during the pandemic, but only kept 10% to 20% of that peak in sales, the report said.
Electronics and department stores are expected to keep about 20% to 30% of their peak increases during the pandemic. Those retail sectors had the highest penetration of online sales before the pandemic. E-commerce made up about 55% to 60% of electronics sales and 40% to 50% of department store sales, according to
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