Whistl finds international online purchases will fall by 24% due to COVID 19 in a survey of key markets

US (29%) and Australian (25%) online shoppers most likely to buy less from all other countries.

Whistl, the leading delivery management company in the UK, has found that international online purchases in key markets will fall as a result of COVID 19. 

The recent survey of consumers in the UK, USA, France, Germany, Ireland, and Australia were asked about the impact of COVID 19 on international online purchases with 24% saying they will decrease buying online from international retailers in next 12 months, 61% will remain the same and 15% likely to increase.

On a country by country basis the impact is as follows:

Germany, the UK, and Ireland are the least likely of the surveyed countries to allow the Coronavirus to impact their views and will continue to buy from abroad. In contrast, US online shoppers have been affected by the Coronavirus the most, with a third saying they are unlikely to continue buying from abroad. 

The UK (45%) and Ireland (42%) are the most resilient countries and are much less likely to reduce their spending from all other countries because of the Coronavirus.

Significantly fewer in Ireland (53%) and Germany (53%) have stopped buying from all other countries because of Coronavirus.

Melanie Darvall, Director Marketing & Communications, Whistl, said: “Our snapshot of consumer attitudes to international online shopping as a result of COVID 19 highlights some interesting trends for online e-tailers around the world. It shows for example that if you are exporting to the US, it will be harder to make a sale and a greater effort is needed to build trust and confidence with this consumer than, say to, one in Germany. 

“Overall, it reinforces the need to understand the country by country dynamics when selling internationally. Etailers should keep up to date with market changes through their delivery partners who as well as understanding the logistics of delivery are also up to speed on changes in consumer demand. Customers of Whistl can keep up to date with our international advice here.”