Dhaka — This corona period showed people in Bangladesh that rice and pulses can be bought online. Now many people are also selling raw materials online.
The trend of buying electronics products, clothing, household appliances online was already there. Now due to Corona, it has gained more momentum centering on Eid.
In addition to the convenience of shopping at social distances, e-commerce sites are offering a variety of offers for online shopping with special discounts.
E-commerce sites have become one of the most popular shopping destinations for school-college students, educated youth as well as busy people.
The tide of e-commerce in the big cities of the country including Dhaka is now huge.
As a success of the government's efforts to build a digital Bangladesh, communication technology has now reached the hands of people not only in big cities but also in small towns and villages.
Due to easy availability, the residents of City Corporation are now buying daily necessities including chaldal from various e-commerce sites.
The number of people shopping from e-commerce sites is also increasing day by day. Online shopping is on the rise, not just in the capital or any urban area. So far, only Dhaka-based online market, but now such trading platforms are being developed all over the country.
The e-commerce sector in Bangladesh began to gain momentum in 2013. There were two incidents that year. First, Bangladesh Bank lifted the ban on international purchases with credit cards.
In the same year, the country's mobile operators launched high-speed third-generation Internet service (3G). Then the fourth-generation internet service (4G) has been launched. The trend of people using smartphones has increased.
On the other hand, new investments have come in the e-commerce sector. All in all, the sector has grown. Buyers have also increased. As for e-cab, their membership is 1,200.
The annual sales amount is about eight thousand crore takas. Of course, there are many more small sellers through various social media. Many shop owners also sell products online.
The people of the country have been increasingly interested in online shopping for several years.
Even just a few years ago, Eid shopping meant shopping at various shopping malls, shopping malls, and fashion houses.
E-commerce stakeholders say the number of buyers has increased this year compared to last year. The trade has accumulated on social media as well as on specific sites for trade.
This business can be operated with little capital, even without capital. Business can be run from home. So, this medium is becoming very popular among new entrepreneurs.
“It's been a while since I started e-commerce,” said Farzana Kamal Soma, owner of VIP Fashion. The response I get from opening a page online with some pictures is quite positive. Besides studying, he is doing this work.
Soma said: “The courier man comes home and takes the order. I don't have any problem.” There is no problem in doing business without it.
A large part of the new generation, as well as the big companies, are leaning towards shopping hassle-free and easy. Pran-RFL Group's e-commerce business or dot com is selling three times more products than before.
According to them, most of the buyers bought masks, disinfectants, hand gloves, or gloves at this time. This is followed by personal care products, consumer goods, exercise treadmills, and a variety of fruits. Demand for bicycles has also increased.
Mokhlesur Rahman, a marketer at Fair Electronics, which manufactures Samsung brand electronics products, said: that before Corona, 1 to 2 percent of their total sales were online. Now it has risen to 7 percent.
“We're emphasizing online. Connecting with different platforms.”, he said.
Tabassum Zaman, a resident of Dhanmondi, said she did not want to go out on weekends after working eight hours in the office and three and a half hours in traffic. Besides, there is work to be given to the children and other frozen work. That's why he can't set aside time for shopping. So online shopping has made her life easier and more comfortable.
She said: she had to go around the whole business before buying a thing. It would have wasted a lot of time. Now I am getting my favorite thing sitting at home.
IT experts and e-commerce analysts say the shopping character of the country's major cities has changed a lot in the last two years. As a result, congestion in traditional markets has dropped by about 40 percent. The use of technology has made it possible to offer things online at a much lower price, which is by no means possible in general stores. Demand for this specialty has grown significantly as a result of recent corporate scandals.
Fahim Mashroor, an online marketing expert and former president of the Bangladesh Association of Software and Information Services (BASIS), said MFS now accounts for about 40 percent of our transactions on online websites (excluding Facebook). It was 20 percent before Corona.
“All kinds of products are now available online from everyday necessities. Tickets are sold, healthcare is also provided online.”
He further said: “that the biggest advantage that the buyers are getting online is that they are getting the desired product at home by ordering at home. In fact, ordinary people are getting the benefits of digital Bangladesh. As the days go by, its scope will also increase, there is no doubt about it.”
