Online Shopping Trends in Pakistan

Online Shopping Trends

These days, people in Pakistan, don’t hesitate when it comes to online shopping; mainly because it has become a regular trend. This common trend has evolved swiftly over the last couple of years as there has been a massive increase in the E-commerce business. The E-commerce industry has boomed in every region throughout the country. In the past ten years, neither retailers nor buyers would have imagined online shopping to hold a substantial share in the market. Every other resident was used to trading goods in the stores. However, with the advancement in technology, there has been an apparent and gradual change seen in the shopping trends. These trends have left a
positive impact on the society. This positivity prevails as the time is saved and the resources are increased.

You will find all leading brands’ virtual existence visible for the benefit of residents of Pakistan. These brands are presented on the internet in the form of blogs, websites and social media accounts. To elevate their own success, companies are offering a variety of products and brands. They are not confined to a particular category of product, but a wide range of goods are made available to the customers. Their goal is to become the most leading online shopping cosmos for a huge chunk of the audience. The products are not limited to fashion and footwear or casual and formal wear, but electronics, books, toys, gifts and a variety of other products are, also, available in the online market for the customers.

There is a sea of opportunities available these days, but apparently, everyone has set their sail in this particular arena. Some of the examples of people on board with this trend include daraz.pk, home shopping.pk, kamyu.pk, etc. They have progressed and emerged at an astonishing speed. Due to their invention, they have made every sort of shopping more convenient for the customers. Even though there was a late entrant in Pakistan of Commerce, the country has still recorded a massive increase in the online shopping trend on the above-mentioned websites. About 30$ million have been spent on online purchases. This depicts a highly positive vision for the future of e-commerce market in Pakistan. It is expected to reach over $600 million by this year.

One of the most popular retailers with an e-commerce based business model is tcsconnect.com. It is a project of a well known popular company that has about 700 franchises throughout the country. It provides a quick-witted experience for all popular brands. The products they deliver ranges from clothing items to electronic gadgets.  These items are guaranteed to be delivered safely at your door steps without any hindrance and inconvenience.

When it comes to online shopping, not only retailers, but the youth is also benefiting from this opportunity. Age is just a number when it comes to buying good online. Everyone is laying the ground for online shopping world. Over 31 million individuals that include about 134 million cellular subscribers are a part of the market due to which the investors are hiring ingenious tech personnel. The basic goal is to improve the experience for all users by providing them outstanding and quick service.

The customers are valuable assets of the whole market. Their reviews and opinions add value to the whole package. Due to which the owners have created Internet Blogs and websites to keep the customers updated and get information on how to improve the whole experience. It is, also, a stupendous way to publicize online shopping sites. People, especially, teenagers are more active on social media which brings a new opportunity for the brands to publicize them and stay connected to their audience.

When it comes to the products trading in the online shopping market, one category is being sold in numerous amounts than others and that is clothing. The profit rates of women clothing are off the charts compared to other products. 5 years ago, it seemed completely impossible for women to purchase clothes online. The main reason behind this mindset was women’s traditional habit of inquiring till the last minute. Bargaining is the sole way of being satisfied with the product. The inner peace women get when they check the quality themselves can never be compromised due to online shopping.

However, with the passage of time, the trend changed. Women became comfortable with shopping online due to the introduction of Cash on the Delivery method of payment. The majority of the companies offer this option to their customers. This way, a risk of a scam is minimized and a trust is built between the buyers and sellers. The trust is eventually strengthened because all you require is to place the details of your desired product and deal. You can pay the bill once you have evaluated the product in your hands.

We should have a huge round of applause for the creators of this unique business. It is due to their lay down that the awareness of products has spread throughout the world. Along with that, the price comparison facility has saved a good amount of money. The availability and details of the products are easily accessible to the customers. The owners have made sure the products that are delivered are flawless and the deal customers’ ordered is intact.

The plus point is the technology is complimenting the whole business. With the evolution of Information technology in all regions of Pakistan, collecting resources and managing the whole business has become less burdensome. It has become crystal clear that no business can become successful without embarking technology. The advent of 3G/4G has made the internet more accessible in the country due to which there is an increment in the business.

As E-commerce is increasing in Pakistan, experts have estimated its market size to be around $25-30 million a year. A large chunk of this business is sustained through cash-on-delivery mode; the option of paying for the products once you have evaluated them completely. Through this option, trust is built between the retailers and purchasers.

To explain the accomplishment of the online shopping in Pakistan few buzz words are in common use that includes Analytics, Browsing trends, mobile applications, social networking, discussion forum, blogs, surveys, shopping carts and Internet Websites.  These words are trending all over the internet.

The accounts of these websites on the social media have made it more convenient for the customers to stay updated regarding any news. Customers can easily leave their opinions and reviews on these accounts for the owners to improve their services. These accounts provide them a better option to stay connected to the audience. It, also, provides a good exposure to the brands being sold on the website.

However, with positive outcomes come rusty moments. The challenges in online shopping are getting more visible as the trend in Pakistan is gaining its momentum. The competition among the competitors has become tough over the last couple of years. Due to which, there was a slight decrease in the growth rate of E-commerce. The owners are, working hard to eradicate all errors.

Some of the challenges are mentioned by Ahmed Jahangir, Managing Director of kaymu.pk which is included in the list of leading online sites of Pakistan.

“Mentionable challenges include the availability of fast-speed internet to a limited segment of the population, power shortages, lack of public trust on portals conducting e-commerce and awareness about the online marketplace, payment solutions, and delivery logistics infrastructure. Since most people do not have access to credit or debit cards or reluctant to use the plastic money for shopping only owing to security concerns, the majority of e-commerce companies have adopted the ‘Cash on Delivery’ model.”
Published in Dawn, Economic & Business, July 21st, 2014

Even though this trend has become popular, the lack of fast-speed internet is producing a huge hindrance in the business. The power shortage is the major issue. The cash-on-delivery option is a convenience for a lot of purchasers, but the websites that doesn’t offer such option face the issues of late payments, deniable access to credit or debit cards. These issues create a huge obstacle in the online shopping business. However, the company is trying to resolve these issues day by day. Eventually, there will be a solution to all issues.

Aside from all the challenges, it is evident that the benefits of the online shopping business in Pakistan are unlimited. It is beneficial not just for the retailers but the purchasers, too. Especially, Women clothing has become a prevailing and promoted trend in the country. Women from all around the country have adapted this trend. Products of other categories will eventually reach their deserved success, too.

The major reason behind its success is its convenience and ease. When compared to traditional shopping, women now prefer online shopping as it is time-saving as well as cost saving. Even though Pakistan is a developing country the growth rate of e-commerce is eventually increasing. Pakistan has more potential for e-commerce growth than many developed countries.