The world saw a significant change on December 31 2019, when the World Health Organization (WHO) declared the ongoing coronavirus a pandemic. Following that, the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (Covid-19) has bought drastic repercussions on earthlings and has also brutally taken many lives.
Also known as a severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS-CoV). It gives rise to respiratory illnesses followed by the common cold, flu, and fever. In a worse situation, it spreads to the lungs and damages other organs, including the heart and the kidneys.
The highly contagious properties of the fatal coronavirus have caused it to spread from one person to another, thereby making a big chain. Due to this, the disease spread to numerous countries and took over the world in no time.
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Effects of Coronavirus on the Functioning of the World?
It is apparent that the coronavirus has completely changed the way the world functions today. A state of emergency was declared worldwide. To control the spread of the virus, countries imposed bans on public gatherings including weddings, concerts, national events and all sorts of congregations.
Furthermore, there was an evident shutdown of educational institutes, businesses, shops, restaurants, shopping centers, pubs and clubs, religious places, congregations, parks, and outdoor activities. The roads were empty due to curfews and lockdowns.
In addition to that, people themselves hesitated to step out of their homes, which increased their chances of catching the life-threatening virus. The use of masks, hand sanitizers, gloves, Pepe suits, and other disinfecting measures have become the new normal.
Noteworthy is the actuality that the pandemic exceptionally triggered the sale of hand sanitizers. In the week ended February 23, 2020, the dollar sales of hand sanitizers in drug stores rose by 80.7 percent compared to the same period of the previous year.
Furthermore, a new trend of minimum or, in some cases, no social contact at all has started. People avoid shaking hands, hugging, or touching each other as this elevates the chances of transferring and catching the virus from one person to another. The World Health Organization provides a helpful way to know about the spread of the virus. They say to keep the three C’s in mind:
Crowded places
- Close-contact settings, especially where people have conversations very near each other;
- Confined and enclosed spaces with poor ventilation.
- The risk of COVID-19 spreading is high in places where these “3Cs” overlap.
How has the coronavirus affected the shopping industry?
The spread of the coronavirus and its repercussions have posed a severe blow to the shopping industry. Habitual lockdowns and regular market shutdowns have made it difficult for sellers and buyers to continue their respective ventures.
The shopping industry has faced significant setbacks as there is a significant decrease in sales. Even when the shops are open, buyers hesitate to go out shopping due to the horrors of catching the virus. Various doubts have seeded the minds of individuals of whether the products are disinfected or not.
As a result, they avoid touching products or going shopping. The BBC news provided that retailers suffered their worst annual sales performance on record in 2020, driven by a slump in demand for fashion and homeware products. The British Retail Consortium (BRC) said that while food sales growth rose 5.4% in 2019, non-food fell about 5%. It meant an overall fall of 0.3% in a year dominated by the Covid-19 impact, the worst annual change since the BRC began collating the figures in 1995.
The rise of online shopping
Considering the different turn of events bestowed by the deadly coronavirus, earthlings have made a paradigm shift to a different way of shopping. The innovative venture of online shopping has made it easy for sellers to sell from anywhere in the world and buyers to buy from the comforts and luxuries of their homes.
Online shopping is no less than a blessing in the pressing times of the coronavirus, where stepping out of the house is a high risk. Through just a few clicks, one can acquire every little thing right at their doorstep. Everything can be shopped through the web, ranging from groceries, household essentials, and food items to clothing, accessories, and even big machinery. The novel idea of contact-less delivery and online payments has made it even more safe and uncomplicated for individuals.
It is evident that there is a sudden spike in online shopping as buyers shop their hearts out. Digital Commerce 360 estimates that the pandemic pushed online shopping to an unprecedented level in the U.S. It contributed to an additional $105 billion in U.S. online revenue in 2020 and accelerating e-commerce by two years. According to Commerce Department figures, online sales hit $791.70 billion in 2020, up 32.4% from $598.02 billion in the prior year.
How does online shopping happen?
One may wonder how does the whole setup of online shopping really works. The highly powered e-commerce websites make it possible for buyers to place searches for products, add them to the cart, add delivery and payment options add place an order constructively. Numerous e-commerce websites offer excellent customer service to their clients through their advanced and fast websites.
Home delivery service
A prime concern of buyers after placing an order is when they will receive it. The exciting feeling of waiting for the doorbell to ring so that you can get your hands on your favorite products is simply beyond words. However, this thrilling feeling is completely wrecked when your order which was supposed to reach you in some days, takes weeks, if not months.
Many buyers face the predicaments of slow delivery or no delivery at all. They complain of getting their parcels late due to delayed Shipping. However, it is essential to shop from websites that encompass top-tier and fast shipping services to brush aside the complications of late Shipping. There are various notable sites on the web which provide fast and effective home delivery services of their products or services. Let’s take the example of AliExpress.
AliExpress
Launched in 1999, Alibaba is China’s and the world’s biggest e-commerce website by some measures. Its three important sites include Taobao, Tmall, and Alibaba.com. AliExpress comprises millions of users who do business and make colossal cash. On the other hand, numerous customers also use this safe and secure website to shop their hearts out and acquire their essentials and luxuries.
There are on a productive mission to make it easy to do business anywhere. They give suppliers the tools necessary to reach a global audience for their products and helping buyers find products and suppliers quickly and efficiently. AliExpress brings millions of products in over 40 major categories, including consumer electronics, machinery, and apparel. Buyers for these products are located in 190+ countries and regions and exchange hundreds of thousands of messages with suppliers on the platform each day. This fast and effective website is growing at an unprecedented rate.
The top-tier website has a fast shipping service. Packages sent with AliExpress Standard Shipping usually take 15 to 45 working days, whereas Aliexpress Premium Shipping will provide an estimated delivery time from 7 to 15 working days.
AliExpress has set precedents for other e-commerce websites by providing fast and effective delivery services throughout the world. Let’s have a look at some of the other sites like AliExpress, which provide fast Shipping to their buyers;
1. Newegg
Based in California, Newegg offers phenomenal next-day delivery options to their customers. Compared to AliExpress, they offer cheaper delivery as they stave off the need to pay extra for one, two, or three delivery days. Standard Newegg Ground Shipping takes only 1-5 business days, and even the Super Eggsaver Shipping time frame is only 4-7 business days. The top-tier e-commerce website encompasses numerous electronic articles, including;
- Desktop computers
- Laptops
- Gaming computers
- Keyboards
- Mouse
- Monitors
- Memory boards
- Processors
- Hard drives
- Various other components and accessories
- T.V.s
- Home appliances
- Coffee makers
- Vacuums
- Phones
- Phone accessories
- Headphones
- Tablets
- Video games
- Playstations
- Xbox
- Desks
- Projectors
- Laptop stands
- Software, such as antivirus software
- Automotive products, such as automotive parts and tires
- Furniture
- Home items
- Tools such as drills
2. eBay
An acceptable alternative to AliExpress, which offers fast Shipping, is the rip-roaring e-store eBay. This American multi-national e-commerce platform encompasses uncountable products, thereby fulfilling the needs of every class. They include fashion, automobiles, electronics, home and garden products, art and collectables, sports, toys, business, health and beauty, and the inexhaustive list continues.
However, noteworthy is the actuality that while shopping, one should check the seller’s origin to know about the shipping time.
Many eBay sellers are drop shippers. Their products come directly from China and may take weeks or months to ship. However, the good part is that all eBay product listings tell you where the product is being shipped from. If you see that it is shipped from China, stay away! Ensure the shipping origin is in the United States and the shipping estimate exceeds a week. That’s the good thing about eBay – you can filter by Shipping, so you don’t have to bother with products that take forever to ship.
3. Amazon
Amazon is also one of the worlds leading e-commerce websites which has operations in numerous cities of the world. Founded in the 90s, Amazon comprises the most extensive range of products across almost every category that one could think of; Amazon Mexico customers lean on the site most for consumer electronics and technology, followed by software and games. Amazon also offers digital products like Prime Video, Amazon Music, ebooks, and more. This American company has suppliers and buyers in almost every country, which helps them pull of exceptional efficiency and productivity.
Let’s have a look at Amazon’s excellent shipping time and rates ;
|
Region |
Standard Shipping (business days) | Priority Shipping(business days) |
|
Africa |
As fast as 18 days | As fast as 6 days |
| Asia & Pacific Islands | As fast as 18 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Atlantic, Caribbean & Other Islands |
As fast as 18 days | As fast as 6 days |
| Australia | As fast as 16 days |
As fast as 10 days |
|
Canada |
As fast as 7 days |
As fast as 5 days |
|
Canadian Outlying Areas |
As fast as 12 days |
As fast as 7 days |
|
China |
As fast as 7 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Europe |
As fast as 18 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Israel |
As fast as 9 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Japan |
As fast as 9 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Latin America |
As fast as 9 days |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Middle East |
As fast as 9 days |
As fast as 7 days |
| The Russian Federation | Not Available |
As fast as 6 days |
|
Region |
Standard Shipping Per shipment (starting from) |
Expedited Shipping Per shipment (starting from) |
Priority Courier Shipping Per shipment (starting from) |
|
Canada |
$7.99 | $9.99 | $19.99 |
|
Mexico |
$4.99 | n/a |
$8.99 |
| Latin America | $8.99 | $10.99 |
$15.99 |
|
Atlantic, Caribbean & Other Islands |
$11.99 | $13.99 | $39.99 |
| Europe | $14.99 | $14.99 |
$50.99 |
|
Israel |
$8.99 | $18.99 | $39.99 |
|
Middle East |
$4.99 | $18.99 |
$39.99 |
| Africa | $9.99 | $13.99 |
$39.99 |
|
Australia |
$10.99 | $11.99 | $29.99 |
| Japan | $7.99 | $9.99 |
$21.99 |
|
Asia & Pacific Islands |
$10.99 | $18.99 | $39.99 |
| Russian Federation | n/a | $15.99 |
$25.99 |
4. Shopify
Started over a decade ago, Shopify powers over 1,700,000 businesses worldwide. Headquartered in Ottawa, Ontario but having global operations, Shopify comprises high quality and powered IT gear and software to help sellers provide their customers an excellent shopping experience. They are playing an essential role in helping small businesses start, run and grow businesses.
They excel in delivering online retails, shopping carts, e-commerce hosting, mobile commerce, different store themes, cross-border e-commerce, 24/7 support, and whatnot. They are affordable for startups as their cheapest plan is only $9/month with a free trial of 14 days.
Shopify encompasses a Shopify shipping carrier account, which has numerous benefits:
- Display calculated shipping rates, instead of flat rates, to your customers at checkout
- Get reduced rates for your shipping labels
- Print shipping labels directly from your Shopify admin
- Depending on your fulfillment locations, Shopify Shipping lets you purchase labels from the following carriers.
|
Fulfillment location |
Shipping carriers |
|
United States |
USPS UPS (not available in Puerto Rico) DHL Express (continental United States only) |
|
Canada |
Canada Post |
| Australia |
Sendle |
5. Flipkart
This Indian e-commerce website is also an alternative to AliExpress as it also provides fast and efficient shipping services. It also allows for tracking your order and seeing where it has reached. For items listed as “In Stock”, Sellers will mention the delivery time based on your location pin code (usually 2-3 business days, 4-5 business days, or 4-6 business days in areas where standard courier service is available).
Flipkart possesses numerous categories, including groceries, home, garden, electronics, fashion, beauty, toys, and whatnot.
