4 Trends During COVID-19 Pandemic That Could Help Local Brick-and-Mortar Businesses

The COVID-19 pandemic has been devastating for many businesses across the country.

But as some businesses have failed, others have seized opportunities. The COVID-19 has introduced new challenges and opportunities for all types of businesses – even businesses that aren’t traditionally online.

Today, we’re highlighting some of the hopeful trends happening in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that could benefit brick-and-mortar businesses.

Social Networks Are Surging

Social networks are more important than ever. With traditional social communication stymied, social networks are surging among all age groups. People are using Facebook Messenger more than ever. They’re talking to their grandparents on Zoom. They’re spending more time browsing Twitter, Reddit, Instagram, and TikTok.

As social networks surge, it’s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for ecommerce companies.

TikTok, for example, recently partnered with Shopify to build a one-click purchase button within the app. Because of this partnership, TikTok’s millions of users – including millions of younger users – can reach a generation that was previously difficult to access. The 1 million merchants in the Shopify network can now market their products and services directly to TikTok users.

The Opportunity: With people of all ages spending more time on social media, there’s never been a better chance to launch a social media marketing campaign or grow your social media advertising presence.

Digital Media Consumption Has Never Been Higher

For similar reasons, people are consuming more digital media than ever before. From streaming services to other digital media, people of all ages are spending more time consuming digital media.

Content, when done properly, sells your business’s products and services.

By putting the right content in front of the right audiences, businesses can drive conversions for their brick-and-mortar businesses. Regardless of whether your products and services are online, you can enjoy booming growth by targeting the right type of digital media.

The Opportunity: You have more opportunities to get more people to consume more of your content than ever before. As more people consume more digital content, it can drive customers to your business – assuming you’re creating the right type of content.

eCommerce is Thriving

For obvious reasons, eCommerce has thrived during the COVID-19 pandemic. As physical retail stores closed around the world, spending was pushed online. Consumers still had money to spend, and they decided to spend it online instead of in-person.

For some brick-and-mortar businesses, this was a frustrating development that led to lost business.

For other brick-and-mortar businesses, however, this was an opportunity to expand eCommerce stores and drive online sales. Many businesses started to deliver goods in-person to customers shopping online. Others expanded their products and services to new customer bases, shipping traditionally local products across the country.

The Opportunity: Brick-and-mortar stores with effective eCommerce platforms can drive new sales – and some local businesses are enjoying higher sales than ever. More people are shopping online today than at any previous point in human history, and many of them have lots of money to spend because they’re not going out. By putting the right product or service in front of the right customer, brick-and-mortar businesses can drive growth.

There Are Long-term Changes in Consumer Behavior

Early in the pandemic, it may have seemed like COVID-19 would be around for a few weeks and then disappear. Obviously, months into the pandemic, we’ve learned that isn’t the case.

The COVID-19 pandemic will lead to permanent changes in consumer behavior. More people shop online for groceries today than ever before. While some will return to ‘traditional’ grocery shopping after the pandemic, others will continue using online services to buy groceries.

The Opportunity: Brick-and-mortar businesses that recognize long-term shifts in consumer behavior can implement changes today to address these changes. Create an effective online retail store and delivery system to reach new audiences.

The Growing Importance of Local Businesses and Local Communities

Tech giants like Amazon have skyrocketed in value during the pandemic. This surge has been frustrating for some local businesses, although other local businesses are thriving.

People recognize the importance of local businesses. They understand small and medium-sized locally-based businesses drive local economies. Shopping with Amazon and other tech giants is undeniably convenient, but it also funnels money away from local businesses and towards trillion-dollar corporations.

As a brick-and-mortar business with a local presence, you have an advantage over tech giants like Amazon. You’re local. Locals recognize you and want to support you.

Community has never been more important than it is during the COVID-19 pandemic, and smart brick-and-mortar businesses continue to emphasize their local approach to business to stay successful.

The Opportunity: Brick-and-mortar businesses can emphasize their local presence and build their local brand to enjoy long-term success even in the midst of a pandemic.