Keeping online inventories as close as possible to their customers through the strategic location of emerging distribution centers, micro-distribution centers and dark stores is currently one of the most important challenges for companies.
Due to the change in consumer habits, the restrictions imposed by the pandemic and the popularization of online commerce, companies are busy optimizing their distribution channels for Internet sales.
Maintaining proper inventories to meet demand, having a robust logistics system and an electronic sales channel that protects your customers when they make a purchase, are part of the challenges that businesses face in this new reality.
With "Black Friday" and Christmas approaching, commercial establishments in the region are beginning to apply their sales and promotion strategies, with which they will try to recover part of their income.
Merging E-commerce models and face-to-face sales, through the implementation of apps that allow shopping in a physical store without going through the checkout line or selecting a fitting room from a cell phone, are the challenges for companies in the new reality.
In order to adjust to the new demands and challenges that arose from the covid-19 outbreak, at a global level companies are focused on understanding the trends that will predominate among consumers in the short and medium term.
The transformation of purchasing habits caused by the boom in e-commerce at a regional level, forced companies to accelerate the process of implementing their plans, because now they must enhance their digital strategies and change their business culture.
25% of the people in El Salvador who seek to purchase products and services online try to hire an educational service, 21% seek access to a financial service and 19% are interested in acquiring electronic equipment.
The interactive information system developed by CentralAmericaData, monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets of the region, with fundamental information to understand the new commercial environment that has emerged quickly.
In Central America about 2 million people are looking to buy some kind of pet supply online, and 13% of these consumers explore options for buying cat food.
The interactive information system, developed by CentralAmericaData, monitors in real time the changes in consumer habits in all markets of the region, with fundamental information to understand the new commercial environment that has emerged in an accelerated manner.
The abrupt change in consumer habits forced companies to digitalize their operations and sales, but the challenges do not stop there, as companies will have to implement effective logistics systems to reach their customers.
In the new context of accelerated growth of e-commerce, most consumers claim to have had problems buying online, with delivery time failures and lack of service for their area being the most frequent complaints.
From June 8-12, a survey was conducted in Guatemala to measure people's perception of e-commerce, which has gained ground since Central American countries decided to decree severe household quarantines because of the covid-19 outbreak.
Considerable investments in the digitalization of operations, the closure of small stores and the expansion of the commercial area of the best located sales points, is part of the strategy that companies are beginning to implement in the new context of business transformation.
Managers of large corporations agree that several companies were already making progress in digitizing sales and operations, but the pandemic ended up persuading decision makers of the need to focus on online sales, and simultaneously accompany it with a plan to transform physical stores.
In the new post covid-19 reality, most consumers will cut back on spending, save more and stock up on goods, and in the e-commerce field, most people who shop online will be willing to wait up to two days to receive their product.
The new commercial reality that emerged in an accelerated way due to the health crisis, forces companies to quickly understand the changes in the consumption habits of their customers and how to take advantage of the opportunities that derive from this transformation in business.
Less impulsive and more reasoned purchasing decisions and the search for product and supplier information on the Internet and social networks are some of the characteristics of consumers in the new business environment.
Given the spread of covid-19, health authorities in Central American countries have been forced to restrict the mobility of people and have chosen to close most commercial establishments.
Personal care items, vehicle accessories, food and beverages are some of the products most demanded by consumers, who have migrated to digital platforms to make their purchases.
In the current scenario of confinement due to the health crisis in the region, consumers have disappeared from physical stores and have migrated to digital platforms to buy their products.
It is predicted that "great growth opportunities for retailers and consumer brands, if they know how to exploit the information to meet the needs of current buyers.
From Procomer's article "Trends in e-commerce of mass consumption":
According to the report "E-Commerce in mass consumption", prepared by the consulting firm IRI, "the mass consumer market is ready for an online disruption", as new alliances are formed, and new distribution opportunities emerge. Antonio Khalaf, commercial director of IRI, says he is looking for " great growth opportunities for retailers and consumer brands, if they know how to exploit information to meet the needs of current buyers, who are younger, who expect an online experience, a good price, product choice and availability."
This year multinational plans to invest that amount in remodeling, maintenance, new units, electronic commerce, and logistics and distribution.
From a statement issued by Walmart of Mexico and Central America:
Mexico City, 10 March 2016.- In 2016 Walmart de Mexico and Central America will invest an estimated $14.700 million pesos ($866 million), 17% higher than the total amount invested last year.
Devices connected to the internet will revolutionize consumption not only in terms of the way things are bought but also in the interaction between consumers and retailers.
From an article by the Costa Rican Foreign Trade Promotion Office (PROCOMER):
Mobile devices continue to change buying habits and defining the profile of the online shopper was the topic of discussion at Mobile Commerce Congress, the first conference dedicated exclusively to mobile commerce as a new sales tool for retailers, conducted in Spain.