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E-commerce sees boom amid quarantine


E-commerce platforms are experiencing a spike in sales amid the quarantine imposed over several areas in the country to curb coronavirus transmission.

Even essential goods such as groceries are now purchased through online platforms, leading to a surge in online shops dedicated to providing necessities for consumers who can’t leave their homes.

“E-commerce is the new normal even after the COVID-19 pandemic,” e-commerce consultant Abbie Victorino said in a Stand for Truth report on Thursday.

“We have seen a rise in sales. I think for the food and beverages, 80% na ngayon would be coming from online sales. Kaya kung dati, 20% lang ‘yung sales nila from e-commerce, kumbaga hindi nila focus, ngayon baliktad na,” she explained.

Victorino also said that the number of small and medium enterprises doing business online is expected to increase once the quarantine is lifted.

Prior to the pandemic, only some 1% of these enterprises were using online platforms for their businesses.

“Nahihirapan sila kasi they think na mahirap magbenta online. Actually, [it’s] very easy to set up,” she said.

“Sa mga magsisimulang mag-negosyo online, they can try Facebook or Instagram first. Importante merong brand presence or meron talaga silang pages of these basic social media accounts kasi ando’n ang costumers nila,” Victorino added.

However, the Cybercrime Division of the National Bureau of Investigation warned consumers that cybercrime activities are also on the rise.

“‘Yung cybercriminals, na-anticipate nila during lockdown [na] lahat tayong publiko mag-o-online kaya nagkaroon sila ng massive phishing attacks… anticipating mag-o-online sa bangko, mag-o-online orders and everything,” Cybercrime Division chief Victor Lorenzo said. —Julia Mari Ornedo/LDF, GMA News

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