Online retail sees biggest slowdown in decade, tariffs hit e-commerce
The packages ride a conveyor band on 2 December 2024 at the Cyber Monday in the center of the Amazon in Florida, on 2 December 2024.
Miguel J. Rodriguez Carrillo | Getty Images
According to a new study of Aliix Partners, the e-commerce sector has been experiencing its most destructive period for more than a decade as a result of the trade war and tariffs policy of President Trump. It finds upright decreases in online shopping activities and shipping and return policies are set to reduce costs for companies.
Online purchases for home delivery, double -digit percentage, and annual decreases in large categories, including office materials, drop 13 percent points; Sports equipment, 12 percent points; According to Aliixpartners data, cosmetics, furniture, home furniture and large electronics, each of which has a 10 percent point of points.
“This has been the first to withdraw in online category growth for more than a decade,” Chris Considine, who is a partner with the retail application of the consulting firm. He said.
The grocery store was a remarkable exceptions for the negative tendency.
34% of consumers delayed purchases due to uncertainty over prices and 66% of the overseas prices increase by 10%, saying that they will look for domestic options, according to Aliixpartners data, tariffs have become a catalyst for consumers to change their purchasing behavior. Twenty -eight percent of the consumer survey participants said that they highlighted purchases to avoid extra import costs.
In the survey, he showed a large minority (20%) who wanted to “buy American”.
“Tariffs significantly affect consumer behavior, both the timing shifts and the potential reconstruction of demand. Retailers may need to re -evaluate their welding and pricing strategies to remain competitive.” He said.
Online home delivery survey was conducted by Alixpartners among consumers, retail and transportation companies between 31 May and 3 June.
In addition to the tariffs affecting purchases, retailers are struggling with return and delivery costs. The questionnaire shows that almost three -quarters of the managers say that the delivery costs per package increased at a time when the return of the returned orders is an increase.
According to the survey, distribution and return policies are bored in the e-commerce sector and more importance was given to in-store collection and feedback. Consumer behavior is greatly affected by free delivery and delivery the next day, but almost half of the retailers participating in the survey has increased the requirement of minimum order to be qualified for free sending or now requires a membership.
Most e-commerce managers who participated in the survey by Aliixpartners said that the cutting of the latest miles delivery costs is a priority compared to service improvements.
