As coronavirus spreads across the globe, many businesses are starting to feel its negative impact. With remote work, social distancing, self-isolation and online shopping becoming the norm, business owners need to adjust the way they do business. Fortunately, online retailers have the benefit of keeping their business open and turn this crisis into an opportunity by offering most sought-after products.
Coronavirus Online Shopping Product Trends
Grocery Items
For retailers who sell online grocery items or specialty foods, you will see a spike in demand since you are providing an alternative option to brick-and-mortar stores. Not only are more people discouraged to go outside, but many supermarkets are finding it difficult to keep goods on the shelves. Not to mention, panic buying makes these businesses struggle to keep up with the demand. If you are an Amazon seller, this is a good time to offer generic brand items for highly in-demand goods.
Shelf-stable food products are the most sought-after goods nowadays. This is chiefly because they can be stored safely at room temperature and stay good for weeks, months or years without refrigeration. These include jerky, country hams, canned goods, bottled water, rice, pasta, flour, sugar, crackers, dried fruit, cereal, trail mix, and the list goes on.
Home Cleaning Items
Household cleaning supplies is another industry that has experienced a boost in sales during this time. This is especially true for retailers selling disinfecting products. In fact, home cleaning brands like Lysol and Clorox have seen a surge in sales. Even organic cleaning products, which are not always effective against the virus, are seeing sales boom because people are buying them in bulk.
Make sure to adequately stock on hand soap, hand sanitizers, chlorine wipes, sponges and other products that can clean and disinfect so you can meet your consumers’ demands – and at this point in time, those demands are skyrocketing.
Online Drugstores
In terms of medications, consumers have started online shopping for products they cannot find in their local pharmacies. You might want to consider this category and offer alternative complementary treatments especially since there is currently no vaccination or prescription available to cure the novel coronavirus. Good examples of these products include:
- Essential oils
- Cooling cloths for infants and children
- Herbal medicines for colds, cough and flu
- Homeopathic remedies for allergies, pain and infection
Vitamins, skincare creams, first aid kits, baby wipes and nappies are great items too.
Home Gym Equipment
Since many health and fitness centers are temporarily closed
down as preventive response to the virus, gymgoers have no choice but to keep
themselves fit and healthy at the comforts of their homes. Not to mention the
virus itself has pushed people to live a healthier lifestyle in a bid to strengthen
their immunity.
If you are wondering what to sell, start with home exercise equipment – such as
dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance band, weights and yogamats – as these were
found to be selling like hotcakes online in the past few weeks.
Online Retailers Selling on Amazon
In response to the soaring demands in essential goods, Amazon decided to suspend shipments to its fulfilment centers for non-essential goods through April 5. If you are offering products that fall into one of the following categories below, Amazon will continue to receive and accept your products.
- Baby products
- Health and household
- Beauty and personal care
- Grocery
- Industrial and scientific
- Pet supplies
If you do not fall into one of the above six categories, we highly suggest that you consider diversifying your products. If not, seek alternative ways to sell your items. You can either try Amazon’s FBM (Fulfillment by Merchant) program or go for third-party marketplaces if you don’t already have a website or online store.
In Conclusion
Some businesses will likely see gains in consumers’ online shopping during the coronavirus pandemic, while others may encounter a negative impact due to shipment delays and product shortages. Whichever outcome you get and regardless of what industry you are in, it is important to monitor the situation, maintain open communication with your suppliers and develop an action plan.
If you want to keep a close eye on your Amazon business with ease and convenience, try using SellerMobile. Whether it is about managing your inventory, orders, sales, shipment and suppliers data, we can help you out. Contact us here or sign up for our 30-day free trial.
