New eCommerce trends are coming, and these trends will help you seize new opportunities

In the past 2020, too many changes have taken place, ranging from personal shopping habits to the global economic environment. These changes are destined to have a profound impact on our future. At the beginning of 2021, DHL Express has analyzed some trends that will affect e-commerce sales models to grasp the industry dynamics.

After the COVID-19, e-commerce will continue to grow.

Under the influence of the COVID-19, the “city closure” policy has been successfully implemented worldwide. More and more consumers must conduct daily shopping through e-commerce platforms, making the total amount of online shopping reached a record high.

With the gradual success of the COVID-19 vaccine, many people are concerned about when they can return to the pre-epidemic retail model. Leendert van Delft, vice president of DHL express marketing, believes that the epidemic’s retail industry changes will be permanent.

Consumers are more likely to shop online; for retailers, due to the impact of the COVID-19, their sales model has shifted from offline to online; retailers contacted more new customers through the e-commerce platform and obtained new business opportunities. Therefore, even if offline shopping malls reopen, these businesses will continue to retain online sales channels.

eCommerce platforms should keep an eye on the rising silver economy

Up to 2020, the population over the age of 65 has reached 1/11 globally, and this proportion will increase to 1/6 by 2050. In the current digitalization wave, the elderly are also actively participating in Internet activities, and more than half of the elderly are users of various online platforms and apps. In such a large environment, companies need to pay more attention to products’ applicability to older users to gain an advantage in the industry competition.

Logistics enterprises need to optimize the website or app interface for elderly users; the e-commerce platform needs to customize the personalized marketing scheme for elderly users.

Towards the direction of digitization, achieving more flexible B2B

Under the influence of the COVID-19, not only the B2C business has undergone a considerable transformation, but the B2B business is also in a transition period. DHL Express found that due to the suspension of flights and border embargoes during the epidemic, many B2B companies face problems in their supply chains. Therefore, the flexibility and adaptability of the B2B supply chain are essential.

At the beginning of the outbreak, because suppliers in some countries were affected and the goods could not be shipped abroad, many European and American companies encountered procurement problems. DHL Express actively cooperated with these affected customers to solve related issues, which proved DHL express has strong enough capabilities; it also shows that companies need to make their supply chains more flexible.

Under the influence of the epidemic, not only the B2C business has undergone a considerable transformation, but the B2B business is also in a transition period. DHL Express found that due to the suspension of flights and border embargoes during the epidemic, many B2B companies face problems in their supply chains. Therefore, the flexibility and adaptability of the B2B supply chain are significant.

At the beginning of the outbreak, because suppliers in some countries were affected and the goods could not be shipped abroad, many European and American companies encountered procurement problems. DHL Express actively cooperated with these affected customers to solve related issues, which proved DHL has strong enough capabilities; it also shows that companies need to make their supply chains more flexible.

Besides, the B2B business model is also moving in a more digital direction. Research shows that by 2025, suppliers and buyers will conduct 80% of B2B business through digital channels. Since buyers can purchase the goods they need anytime and anywhere through digital media, the frequency of purchases will become more frequent.

Sustainable development will indeed become the focus of attention in the future

Consumers are paying more and more attention to the issue of sustainable development. In a recent study, nearly one-third (29%) of consumers indicated that because certain brands’ packaging does not conform to the concept of sustainable development, They stopped buying products of these brands. Companies must pay attention to logistics’ sustainability, and packaging is crucial in pursuing sustainable development.

DHL Express has always adhered to the concept of sustainable development and is committed to reducing carbon emissions. DHL Express has adopted specific measures to introduce new energy vehicles in the delivery fleet, the use of green express packaging, and so on. At the same time, DHL Express is also committed to helping you find logistics solutions that comply with sustainable development principles.

5G technology helps visualize logistics and provide users with greater convenience

High-speed communication under 5G technology can significantly improve enterprise supply chain management efficiency, and enterprises can make more effective process planning for complex matters such as cross-border delivery.

Besides, the logistics industry will also benefit significantly from 5g technology. On the one hand, the development of 5g technology makes intelligent roads and dynamic solutions for peak hours. On the other hand, thanks to the efficient data processing of 5g technology, logistics enterprises can provide customers with more flexible logistics tracking services. In addition to enabling users to know the exact location of packages at any time, they can even rearrange the distribution route of packets according to customers’ specific requirements in the middle of package delivery. Such a flexible and efficient logistics service will undoubtedly provide greater convenience for users.

“How to handle returns” is equally essential for B2B companies

The increase of online orders will inevitably bring more return problems. How to deal with the return is the key to retain existing customers. Studies have shown that 97% of consumers say they will continue to shop from retailers that provide a good customer experience. Therefore, to ensure the transparency of the return policy, ensure sanitary conditions, and maximize the return process’s convenience, these measures can effectively retain customers.

The focus on returns is usually based on the perspective of B2C companies. However, as more and more B2Borders are transferred to e-commerce platforms, many B2B business purchasers also hope to enjoy the same benefits as B2C consumers. Therefore, in 2021, B2B companies need to learn more about how B2C companies handle returns to formulate efficient return policies.

The situation in 2021 will gradually become apparent, but the current impact of the COVID-19 on the world has not yet come to an end, and companies still need to prepare for possible changes in advance. DHL Express will help you grasp industry trends in real-time in 2021 and better achieve your goals.

END