The pandemic era was all about online shopping, which picked up during both the Eids that followed. The trend continued thereafter.
With Covid-19 restrictions completely relaxed, shopping centres are back in business with the footfall of customers. For most people, however, it isn’t easy to let go of the habit acquired during the peak of the Covid-19.
In 2021, people were going online for all kinds of shopping, including clothing, footwear, sporting goods, groceries, food, cosmetics and so on.
Things have changed with the change in pandemic guidelines in 2022. People have started visiting malls for shopping, but for the mode of payment, they depend more on plastic money than paper money. Those wary of using cards for payments are using the cards fearlessly. They are finding all kinds of online modes easier to explore and adapt.
The recently released digital indicators published by the Ministry of Transport, Communications and Information Technology suggest a massive trend towards online platforms for the purchase of goods like clothing, footwear, sports items and accessories. These items stood at 66 per cent, while food and groceries stood at 57 per cent.
Shoppers have also been exploring
other products online such as household goods, e.g. furniture, toys etc. at 40 per cent, cosmetics and skincare products 27 per cent, services related to travel and accommodation 26 per cent and not to forget movies, short films or images at 25 per cent. Medicines, pharmaceuticals and health products also had good demand online.
Salma al Sulaimani, a young graduate with her own online business, said she thoroughly enjoys shopping, especially ordering vegetables and other groceries online. “I do online shopping also when I am travelling in neighbouring countries’’, she said.
Majda al Maamari feels online shopping is a good way to find Omani products from SMEs.
“There are great products to explore, but other than that, I do not shop much online. I started the online experience during the Covid era’’, said Majda.
However, the digital indicators show that in the Sultanate of Oman, 72 per cent prefer to shop in person, while 50 per cent are simply not interested in doing anything online. About 44 per cent have trust concerns when it comes to warranties, receiving and returning products, security concerns related to providing debit or credit card details and technical issues such as websites, payment or delivery.
About 43 per cent of shoppers lack confidence, knowledge or skills, while 43 per cent have privacy concerns in providing personal details.
@lakshmioman
