KUALA LUMPUR: Juwai IQI’s latest survey on Covid-19 has found that 57% of Malaysians are shopping online more than they did pre-pandemic, leading to an unprecedented boom for online shopping in the country.
In a statement, Juwai IQI Group co-founder and chief executive officer Kashif Ansari(pic) said Lazada Malaysia reported a 300% increase in the number of new online sellers.
“Bank Negara said online retail sales have nearly doubled during the pandemic, and our data shows that more consumers are spending online today than just over a year ago, ” he said.
He said the online shopping boom coincided with the rapid acceleration in other parts of the economy, resulting in a surge of cashless payments, super app usage and mobile Internet penetration.
“Retailers and producers are ramping up their online presence so they can successfully sell to consumers who are increasingly buying via their mobile phone rather than in person.
“It’s happening in real estate, which used to be considered the most off-line of industries. Buyers can now complete almost the entire transaction without ever leaving their home, ” he added.
Kashif said the survey also found that 68% of Malaysians wished to go back to working at the office or some other workplace at least two days a week, post-pandemic.
“Some office workers have discovered they can sometimes get more done and have greater job satisfaction working from home, but it’s not for everyone. Only 27% of people want to work from home full time.
“The new work-from-home phenomenon during the lockdowns has changed the sort of home that house buyers look for, as buyers are looking for bigger spaces, separate work nooks or home offices and extra bedrooms when they can afford them, ” he said.
Despite the current troubles, Kashif said 71% of Malaysians believed that life in the country would be back to pre-pandemic normal by the end of next year. — Bernama
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