Online retail booming in the approach to Lunar New Year

Описание: Lunar New Year is almost upon us, which means it''s the busiest time of year for many retailers. For the first time ever, markets selling traditional new year''s food products are banned, to prevent the spread of COVID-19. That means it will be Taiwan''s first new year dominated by online retail.

What''s the best part of Lunar New Year? For us it''s lounging at home eating new year snacks with the family. But this year, traditional new year market streets are closed, and we''re turning to the internet to stock up.

Since COVID hit, online retail has exploded and livestreamers like these have come into their element. Now that it''s new year, retail platforms and manufacturers will be counting on livestream events for more record profits.

Liao Yu-fan
Online retailer social manager
Because of the pandemic, everyone knows, more and more consumers are turning toward the internet.

Wu Wei-cheng
Food company marketing manager
New year''s products are mostly sold in bulk. Now that includes - in the last few months we''ve seen a change. Many consumers who used to buy products in single bags are now ordering entire boxes wholesale. I think our growth from 2019 to 2020 will be about 70%.

The suppliers of online retailers are also cashing in.

Manufacturer
This year because of the pandemic, many people who would buy new year''s products are turning to the internet. We need to hire more employees because of that, to deal with the change.

The lead up to Lunar New Year is crunch time for retail in Taiwan, and the winners this year will be decided by who can adjust best to the pandemic.