Introduction
The COVID-19 pandemic taught millions of businesses a hard lesson: if you were not online, you were out of the market. While lockdowns shut down brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce grew at a pace nobody had seen before. Retailers did not benefit from that by chance. It took the right technology, such as progressive web apps, solid infrastructure and a clear strategy.
How shopping habits changed
The pandemic changed how consumers shop, and much of that change has stuck. Many people who rarely bought online before had no choice, and came to appreciate what e-commerce offers:
- Shopping from home
- A wide selection of products
- Easy price comparison
- Contactless delivery
- Open 24/7
Opportunities for businesses
The e-commerce boom opened up many opportunities for businesses:
- Reaching new customer groups
- Expanding into new regions without opening stores
- Smarter inventory planning based on data
- Personalized communication with customers
- Automating processes
Example: a progressive web app for a retailer
Why progressive web apps made a difference
This example shows how a retailer used a progressive web app (PWA) during the pandemic to strengthen its online presence and improve the customer experience. You can find the full solution example on retail PWAs in our case studies.
The problems
- Low engagement on mobile
- High development costs for native apps
- No offline access
What was built
- Service worker for offline access
- App shell model for fast load times
- Responsive, mobile-first design
- Push notifications
Challenges along the way
Moving to e-commerce also brings challenges:
- Building the technical infrastructure
- Getting logistics and fulfillment right
- Moving customer service online
- Protecting customer data
- Standing out as competition grows
Conclusion
The COVID-19 pandemic sped up the shift of retail to digital channels. Businesses that invest in e-commerce and their online presence now are better prepared for what comes next. Online retail will keep playing a major role after the pandemic and will keep evolving. The PWA example shows how much the right technology can change for a retailer.
