Wealth Management: Instant Insights
Investment Insights and Investment & Portfolio Advisory, Wealth Management
eCommerce at a glance
The internet has been to retail what steam was to industrialisation in the 19th century, and the COVID crisis has structurally accelerated the reach and adaptation of eCommerce. With the arrival of the pandemic when much of the world came to a standstill, global retail sales fell some -3.5% in 2020, yet eCommerce sales grew by almost 30%, reaching an estimated $4.3 trillion. Driving this growth in eCommerce were emerging markets such as Latin America, Asia Pacific, and Central and Eastern Europe, and North America (see Figure 1).
Despite rapid acceleration, eCommerce still has room to grow. For instance, eCommerce retail sales in the US as a percentage of total sales stood at around 14% in 2020 (adjusted), an indication of the potential to grow.
Figure 1: Retail eCommerce sales growth worldwide
Retail eCommerce sales growth worldwide, by region, 2020 (% change)
A trend which will stay post-pandemic
Consumers adapted to the pandemic as it disrupted traditional (offline) shopping channels. These new shopping behaviours will not go away after the crisis. In a global survey, over 75% of consumers in the US and China indicated their intent to incorporate these behaviours going forward.
One of several sectors to have benefited from eCommerce disruption is logistic infrastructure. In the recent past Amazon developed some 9 million square metres of warehouse space in the US, offering Prime customers two-day delivery at no additional cost while operating with a third fewer days of inventory than conventional retailers.
Against this backdrop, it is no surprise that many physical retail stores are closing their doors when bricks become clicks.
eCommerce meets artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is not only increasing network reach, it is also at the heart of customising eCommerce offerings as services become increasingly personalised with the use of big data. By analysing online user traffic, eCommerce giants are able to personalise offers, enhance engagement and increase customer loyalty.
In addition, leading online players are using models powered by AI to predict sales of specific products in certain neighbourhoods and cities, then stocking the predicted amount of inventory in nearby warehouses – thereby boosting inventory-to-sales efficiency.
Figure 2: Global reach
Top country for eCommerce sales by sector (%)
The future of eCommerce and the internet
Traditional brick and mortar shops are being forced to rethink their strategy by the rise of eCommerce. This is leading to a rise in experiential retail or “retailtainment” for consumers keen on immersive experiences.
Meanwhile, eCommerce businesses continue to capture and shape new retail markets in emerging markets, with an estimated 3 billion potential buyers in emerging markets gaining access to the internet by 2022. New internet connectivity will therefore be a key driver of eCommerce sales over the next decade.
How to invest in eCommerce |