We may have the government alcohol bans and the Covid-19 lockdown restrictions to thank for the increasing popularity of online buying of beer and wine.
Online purchases for alcohol in August compared with the same month in 2019 soared 1,787%, according to PayFast, an online payment service provider.
PayFast released its first Ecommerce Performance Index report on Tuesday. It gives insight into who is shopping online and some of the popular items.
The age group that grew the fastest in adopting online shopping was 18- to 24-year-olds, and online shopping is most popular among 25- to 34-year-olds. Alcohol was the biggest winner of online purchases.
However, while online shopping is growing exponentially, overall sales make up less than 2% of SA retail.
Alcohol sales were banned from end-March to June 1, and banned again from July 12 to August 16.
Those selling alcohol online experienced rocketing sales in August. Perhaps some people were stocking up in advance of the ban being lifted to prevent standing in long queues when trade was permitted.
One wonders if those who wish to control alcohol sales due to the abuse of it and the associated high numbers of trauma patients intended for online purchasing of the product to become more common. It could also be harder to police online alcohol deliveries.
PayFast figures from September 2019 to August 2020 also show that 65% of online shopping payments were made on a tablet or phone.
The future of online shopping is mobile — and may include a case of beer.
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