The Asian market is rapidly growing and consumers are increasingly familiar with the advantages of online shopping. In 2016, the Asia Pacific region made a whopping $1 trillion in online sales, with China alone accounting for $899 billion. Online shopping is increasing in popularity across the region, with young consumers in particular exploring new shopping methods. In this article, we’ll explore a few of the benefits and drawbacks of shopping online in Asia. Read on to discover the benefits and drawbacks of shopping online in this region.
One of the biggest barriers to online shopping is the inability to touch products. This is a major disadvantage, according to research by Huseynov and Heijden. In order to overcome this disadvantage, marketers must improve their return policies, increase product quality, and charge competitive prices. These challenges will make online shopping more accessible in Asia and elsewhere. Online shopping can be a convenient way to buy goods, but consumers must be able to touch and feel the products before buying them.
Another disadvantage of online shopping is the cost of shipping. In Australia, shoppers choose brand websites over marketplaces, and they’re twice as likely to buy from them. However, Australian marketplaces have not yet become the primary destination for online shopping, with 67% of online shoppers choosing to visit brand websites for the same reasons. Another disadvantage, which many shoppers cite as a disadvantage, is the inability to touch products in person. However, online marketplaces such as eBay and Amazon have surpassed traditional retail channels for product discovery in the past 12 months.