What Does The Post-Pandemic Economy Look Like?

Despite the negative COVID-19 impact on the in-person Hong Kong economy, there were many business opportunities for Hong Kong enterprises. Throughout the pandemic, technological innovations accelerated rapidly; digital solutions like automation and artificial intelligence improved many areas of B2B and B2C relations. Warehousing, shipping, website design, customer interaction, data analytics and more were dramatically enhanced by the rapid innovations of the past few years. The pandemic forced these innovations to speed up—without them, many businesses would have gone under, unable to cope with increased demands and supply chain disruptions. 

In the workforce, this digital evolution made work from home more accessible. Highly digitised workplaces ensured employees could maintain social distancing without compromising productivity. Post-pandemic, workers remain attracted to a split home/office work week which offers flexibility and a better work/life balance. As a business trend, hybrid working arrangements could be here to stay.

Prioritising health, hygiene and sustainability 

Hygiene was a huge priority for customers and employees during the pandemic. With customers returning to stores, according to a survey by Accenture, 69% of consumers in stabilising markets and 80% in advancing markets are fearful for the health of others. Many are hence avoiding unfamiliar or high-risk public places like shopping centres, public transport and eateries. 

As health concerns subside, sustainable purchasing habits are predicted to increase. Consumers are becoming more eco-conscious in their purchasing decisions. An IBM survey revealed that 57% of consumers are willing to change their purchasing habits to help reduce negative environmental impact. The survey also revealed that consumers in the Gen X, Gen Z and Millennial groups are willing to conduct extensive research to ensure the brands they are purchasing from are ethical and sustainable. Governments are responding by rolling out carbon neutral goals and instituting taxes for unsustainable products like petrol cars. This eco-conscious economy outlook means retail providers must look to green logistics solutions and other eco business trends to establish and ensure brand trust in the next generation of consumers. 

Decline of brick and mortar retail, rise of e-commerce

The post COVID-19 economy is all about e-commerce. While many physical retailers went bankrupt, web-based businesses experienced high sales and increased customer engagement. A PwC survey conducted in 2021 recorded shifts in consumer behaviours with 44% reporting that they had made a purchase through their phone, and that their use of digital devices had increased by 50% since the previous year. With many retailers shut in 2020, these statistics are evidence of the impact of COVID-19 on the economy. When it comes to e-commerce in Hong Kong, the pandemic accelerated online purchasing. Several brick and mortar retailers established online models to connect with customers and drive sales, due to decline in customer footfall and revenue. These online models are here to stay in a post-pandemic economy. 

Supporting businesses with logistics solutions in the post pandemic world 

These new trends demand innovative solutions to help businesses remain competitive through post-pandemic recovery. DHL Express has used digitalisation to transform how business is conducted. Smart logistics and other digital solutions mean DHL Express has been able to optimise international logistics for our partners. DHL Express also uses On-Demand Delivery (ODD) service and chatbots to ensure our clients experience this service at a premium level. For businesses geared towards eco solutions, DHL Express offers green logistics solutions that prioritise limited carbon emissions and sustainable ‘last mile’ delivery practices. 

Choose DHL Express to ride the post pandemic wave

If you want your business to remain competitive and modern, consider partnering with DHL Express. With a team of over 111,000 certified specialists operating in over 220 countries worldwide, we are the partner of choice for businesses of all sizes. Sign up for a DHL Express account today and join our global client base of successful businesses.