With the new coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, the Philippines registered the highest increase in spending of 57 percent among countries in Southeast Asia in the second quarter compared with the previous quarter, according to the Map of E-Commerce report released by the iPrice Group.
iPrice, an e-commerce aggregator, in collaboration with App Annie and SimilarWeb, said data showed the Philippines also recorded the highest increase in the usage of shopping apps in the region, at 53 percent with total sessions in shopping apps in the country reaching 4.9 billion.
iPrice said this shows the Philippines is catching up to its Southeast Asian peers in terms of digital adaptations, especially since e-commerce and digital services were not as accessible in the country.
In iPrice’s platform alone, the report said Filipinos now spend about P1,311 a month on average.
Other highlights of the study showed fashion sites’ web traffic decreased by 30 percent compared to last year’s, while electronics sites surged 59 percent.
iPrice said this indicates Filipinos’ increased demand for gadgets during social distancing.
Data also showed 44 percent of Filipinos aged 35 to 44 purchased more online during COVID-19.
“Though the Philippines may not be as savvy with e-Commerce as its other Southeast Asian peers like Indonesia or Singapore, its gradual adaptation is still pretty evident. The Philippines is known to survive with cash-based transactions and brick-and-mortar stores, but perhaps its inevitable adaptation to COVID-19 will allow the country’s digital world to catch up to its more developed Southeast Asian neighbors,” the report said. – I. Isip
