Shoppers take a liking to flash sales on e-commerce platforms

While in the past people used to mostly buy electronic products and consumer goods on them, now they even buy groceries, especially when there are flash sales.

A recent survey of over 24,000 people by e-commerce platform Shopee found that online shoppers are interested in promotions like flash sales and discounts .

Some 57 percent of those polled said they are attracted by best prices and special treatment.

One in 10 said rewards and free gifts while shopping online give them "joy," a third of them aged below 18.

The long periods of social distancing in some localities have created new habits among online shoppers, who now buy groceries, fresh fruits and meat and wait for flash sales.

E-commerce platform Lazada said in the period from June 1 to 23, its fresh foodstuff sales increased by nearly 70 percent. The most popular items were fresh vegetables, fish, meat, and fruits, especially grapes, apples and litchi.

Fast moving consumer goods are also popular.

A spokesperson for a third e-commerce platform, Tiki, said sales of fresh foodstuffs and consumer goods have surged amid social distancing in some districts of HCMC to contain Covid-19, and the trend is likely to continue in July. Sales of the former have in fact doubled since the social distancing campaign began, the spokesperson added.