transcosmos inc. (Representative Director, Co-Presidents: Koichi Iwami, Masaaki Muta) conducted its proprietary Global Online Shopping Survey in 8 Cities 2023.

Since 2018, transcosmos has been conducting its annual survey - Online Shopping Trends Survey in 10 Asian Cities -. The company changed the scope in 2022, adding Seoul (South Korea), New York (USA) and London (UK) to the survey coverage, in addition to the five Asian cities. The 2023 survey will reveal the latest trends in live streaming e-commerce and cross-border e-commerce, as well as the changes in consumer shopping habits in response to global inflation.

■ Survey Overview

■ Key findings
1．More consumers recognize price hikes in countries with a higher inflation rate

• ● The survey asked respondents to rate their perception of the price increases among 15 product categories on a scale of 1–4, 1) I think they’ve risen very much; 2) I think they’ve risen to some extent; 3) I don't really think they’ve risen; and 4) I don't think they’ve risen at all. The results showed that more respondents in London, New York, Mumbai and Seoul felt that the prices had risen very much regardless of product category
• ● The above trend is consistent with statistical data. Respondents in London, New York, and Mumbai - three cities with higher inflation rates of 9.1%, 8.1%, and 6.9% respectively – perceive price increases in many product categories. In Seoul, with an inflation rate of 5.5%, many feel the impact of price increases, especially in food and daily necessities categories. In contrast, in Tokyo, Shanghai, and Jakarta, three cities with relatively modest inflation rates at 2.0%, 2.2%, and 4.6%, respectively, only 20% or less said they felt prices had risen very much for most product categories.
• ● By product category, respondents reported higher markups for fashion and home appliances in addition to food & beverages and daily necessities. Mobile phones were another category that many respondents in Seoul, Mumbai and other cities felt that the prices had risen significantly.

2．Domestic inflation drives cross-border e-commerce shopping

• ● When asked how their online shopping behavior has changed as inflation soars, respondents in all cities said they look for value for the money and make the most of coupons and sales promotions. Some also rethought their shopping habits, and started buying in bulk and shopped less frequentley.
• ● In addition, due to different inflation rates bewteen countries and currency fluctuations, cross-border e-commerce became a way to fight inflation. Regardless of product categories, 30% or more respondents in Mumbai and Bangkok said they had started using foreign online shopping sites where they could buy things cheaper than in their country.
• ● Even in Shanghai and Jakarta, which have relatively lower inflation rates, many consumers changed their shopping habits and started to plan before making a purchase, showing the same trend as other cities. Compared to other cities, fewer consumers in Tokyo changed their shopping behavior.

3．Live streaming e-commerce takes root in Bangkok, Jakarta and Shanghai. Tokyo lags behind

• ● Bangkok leads in the number of respondents who have used live streaming e-commerce, folllwing the same trend as in the previous two surveys. More consumers in Asian cities, excluding Tokyo, have used and are aware of the channel compared to other cities, the trend remains unchanged.
• ● Although lower than in Asian cities, around 60% of respondents in New York and London are aware of the channel, indicating that live streaming e-commerce has created a market of almost the same size as last year.
• ● The 2023 survey again revealed a significant difference between Tokyo and other cities. Despite the gradual increase in awareness, the number of consumers who have used the channel remains significantly low at 2.8%. More than half of the respondents said they had never heard the term.

“Rising global inflation during the past 12 months has significantly affected consumers’ online shopping habits,” commented Masashi Hagihara, an analyst at transcosmos Global Business Headquarters. “The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift from offline to online, allowing the e-commerce market to achieve relatively steady growth. However, the energy crisis and rising commodity prices may reduce the financial leeway to discount offers as well as increase in delivery fees, thus slowing down this positive trend. Inflation and consumer mindset vary from country to country, city to city. Therefore, businesses must first understand key characteristics of each country and city before developing strategies.”

Related Services

• - Global E-Commerce One-Stop Services
• - Analytics Services
• - Global Services

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About transcosmos inc.
transcosmos launched its operations in 1966. Since then, we have combined superior “people” with up-to-date “technology” to enhance the competitive strength of our clients by providing them with superior and valuable services. transcosmos currently offers services that support clients’ business processes focusing on both sales expansion and cost optimization through our 172 bases across 28 countries/regions with a focus on Asia, while continuously pursuing Operational Excellence. Furthermore, following the expansion of e-commerce market on the global scale, transcosmos provides a comprehensive One-Stop Global E-Commerce Services to deliver our clients' excellent products and services to consumers in 46 countries/regions around the globe. transcosmos aims to be the “Global Digital Transformation Partner” of our clients, supporting the clients’ transformation by leveraging digital technology, responding to the ever-changing business environment. Visit us here https://www.trans-cosmos.co.jp/english/

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