Virus lockdowns give major boost to e-commerce

The trend was already under way before Covid-19 began to batter the global economy. — AFP Relaxnews

PARIS: While large traditional retailers announce big lay-offs because of the pandemic, sometimes shedding thousands of staff, coronavirus lockdowns have in contrast given e-commerce a major boost.

Recent data shows a shift to shopping online – according to Kantar consulting group, international e-commerce grew 41% in only three months compared with 22% growth for 2020 as a whole to date, as the pandemic “transformed” retail habits.