After months of staying home and social distancing, most Canadians have adapted to the situation and settled into new routines. Despite seeing signs that things are improving as restrictions are being lifted across the country, Canadians are still concerned about a potential second wave which will likely extend new behaviors in 2021.
However, irrespective of the concerns, DCKAP recognizes that not all businesses start from the same place as far as purpose is concerned. Start-ups can integrate purpose into their operations from the ground up, whereas large, legacy-rich companies have a steeper hill to climb as they pivot to more purpose-driven endeavors. That way, experts at DCKAP intend to start with a prediction of Canadian eCommerce trends for the year 2021 and cater to all the Industries big or small.
As Canadians become even more discerning with spend in 2021, they will be looking for rich online product descriptions and price incentives to help them make better buying decisions, either in-store or online.
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What encourages Canadians spending on certain products:
38% – Indicated they prefer to spend more to purchase premium brands and products.
- To avoid spending repeatedly on lower-quality items that do not last, Canadians look to trusted, high-quality brands when making significant purchases
55% – Indicated they read several product reviews before making a purchase
- This signals that these reviews are an essential part of buyer research prior to making a purchase. As far as retailers are concerned, ramping these up is essential, as fewer reviews may mean less likelihood of making a sale.
7% – Indicated a combination
- A mixture of people spending more to purchase premium brands and products and a category that reads several product reviews before making a purchase
Customers are now increasingly considering their relationship with the planet:
Many Canadian customers are becoming less price-conscious and are instead looking to go-green, and buy from green, ethical and sustainable producers. As a result, towards the end of 2020 and into 2021, it’s expected to see more Canadian businesses pledge to go carbon neutral.
Adding to that, at a political level, there’s already support for this and the NDP government have confirmed that, if they’re re-elected, they would commit to zero-carbon emissions by 2050.
Experts also believe that Canadian businesses, which integrate sustainability into their daily operations, will be able to treble their bottom line. This is because ‘going green’ can reduce costs, open up new market opportunities, and increase profit through innovation.
5G implementation will help businesses and customers connect:
2020 was the pilot year when 5G systems landed in Canada. But, the connection is spotty, and currently, only three carriers offer the technology in the country. In 2021, four new carriers are set to introduce it, and this will help 5G enter the broader market.
With the 5G implementation, customers and businesses will be able to use faster downloading speeds to connect instantaneously. Plus, it will also increase the productivity of workers and make Canadian companies more competitive on a global scale.
5G networks promise to be 20 times faster than the current 4G systems, so faster download speeds, less lag time, and a more stable connection are expected. In 2021, not only will this increase the speed of all the businesses, but it can also revolutionize the way businesses operate and interact with customers.
The business world is constantly changing, and business owners need to be constantly on the lookout for new opportunities. By incorporating this trend into a business plan, business owners will arm themselves with knowledge and ensure they’re at the cutting edge of business practices.
On the whole:
Considered among the top markets, the popularity of eCommerce among Canadians is poised to grow therefore, it is only prudent that businesses start selling online.
These trends do not purport to predict what the future holds, but they may offer something more pressing, like a path forward to help your customers, workforces, and society when, collectively, we need it the most.
As consumer behaviors ebb and flow this year, one thing should be prioritized above, and that would be the customer experience. A thoughtful and sort-out ‘COVID customer experience’ approach will be a key competitive differentiator right now, especially as it relates to delivery speed, ease of fulfillment, variety of products, and easy UX. The more tailored, personalized, and ‘human’ the experience, the better, especially for a public looking for ease in every interaction outside the home.
Fortunately, DCKAP provides B2B and B2C eCommerce solutions like customization, integrations, implementations, and much more. We cater to businesses that are already into online selling and to the ones planning to venture into the digital business. Get in touch with our eCommerce experts who have been trusted players in the market for over 15+ years, leveraging online business for 1000+ brands in and around the United States and Canada. We would be glad to help!
