Malaysians' Online Shopping Behavior during MCO
iPrice - Since early March, the high rate of Covid-19 cases in Malaysia has caused the implementation of the Movement Control Order (MCO) nationwide. Soon after the official announcement, panic-purchasing elevated quickly & most daily necessities were sold out at most places.
With most Malaysians aware the MCO will last till mid-May 2020, consumers are becoming more active online to obtain necessities & getting equipped to work-from-home (WFH). Thus, iPrice investigated the search trends of more than 900 thousand visitors on iPrice Malaysia and found numerous interesting & unexpected findings backed by data.
The research was conducted by analyzing the online search behaviour of close to 1 million visitors on iPrice Malaysia between 18 March 2020 (when the MCO was first enforced) to 17 April 2020. All percentage increase displayed in this research were obtained by comparing the search impressions data with consumers’ online search behaviour prior to the implementation of the MCO.
In the medical supply category, it was unsurprising to see a 648% increase in search interest for face masks (such as surgical masks & N95 masks). However, it was unexpected to also see a rise in interest for sex-related products such as , & condoms.
Observing the search behaviour of Malaysians, we saw the following percentage increase in interest:
2. Malaysians running out of patience with their overgrown hair
Hair salons are still not allowed to open although many economic sectors have begun operating under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said there were Covid-19 cases reported from hair salons in the United States and Japan, so the government has not opened this sector.
The MCO began in mid-March & has been ongoing for more than 7 weeks. This also means that most Malaysians probably have overgrown hair & are looking for ways to take care of it.
With most Malaysians aware the MCO will last till mid-May 2020, consumers are becoming more active online to obtain necessities & getting equipped to work-from-home (WFH). Thus, iPrice investigated the search trends of more than 900 thousand visitors on iPrice Malaysia and found numerous interesting & unexpected findings backed by data.
The research was conducted by analyzing the online search behaviour of close to 1 million visitors on iPrice Malaysia between 18 March 2020 (when the MCO was first enforced) to 17 April 2020. All percentage increase displayed in this research were obtained by comparing the search impressions data with consumers’ online search behaviour prior to the implementation of the MCO.
1. Satisfaction is important, but safety always comes first
In the medical supply category, it was unsurprising to see a 648% increase in search interest for face masks (such as surgical masks & N95 masks). However, it was unexpected to also see a rise in interest for sex-related products such as , & condoms.
Observing the search behaviour of Malaysians, we saw the following percentage increase in interest:
- 347% increase in searches for sensual toys & vibrators
- 79% increase in searches for fertility test kits
- 61% increase in searches for condoms
2. Malaysians running out of patience with their overgrown hair
Hair salons are still not allowed to open although many economic sectors have begun operating under the Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO), said Health director-general Datuk Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah.
He said there were Covid-19 cases reported from hair salons in the United States and Japan, so the government has not opened this sector.
iPrice found that hair trimmers and clippers skyrocketed a whopping 17,652 per cent in search popularity. This trend can also be seen throughout various social media platforms, where people have been sharing the results of their DIY haircut attempts.
Check Price on Lazada Malaysia
3. MCO potentially breeding more ‘MasterChefs”
Malaysians are probably tired of packed foods and are supplying themselves with more home-cooked food. Data reveals high interest in appliances such as , mixers, & ovens. This suggests that people are showing interest to experiment with various kinds of recipes.
Data shows search interest for kitchen appliances such as bread makers increase 7,587%, stand mixers 3,048%, ovens 1,058% & air fryers 2,029%.
4. Nintendo Switch potentially the preferred game console during the pandemic
The inability to go outdoors may lead to excessive boredom for various individuals. As such, people are looking for ways to stay entertained at home & driving the needs of gaming. Data shows high search interest for gaming items such as , game & board games such as Monopoly.
The Animal Crossing game experienced a 17,427% search interest increase, Nintendo Switch on average increase 1,064%, also board games, saw a 4,336% in search interest among Malaysians.
5. Tablets preferred over laptops?
In equipping to WFH, Malaysians are probably purchasing more laptops or PCs. However, data reveals a high interest in tablets. On average, searches for tablets increase 1,125%, while laptops recorded 299% increase in search interest.
This would suggest Malaysians are probably acquiring tablets for work or entertainment activities.
6. Staying fit indoors
Worries about gaining weight resulted from staying home for too long have circulated all over social media. This has potentially motivated people to start doing workouts indoors. This is supported with data, showing a surge in interest for gym equipment such as and .
Data reveals an exponential increase for gym equipment such as skipping ropes 4,528% and yoga mats 2,016%.
Research methodology
Data featured in this study were obtained by aggregating thousands of product pages of more than 150 online merchants through https://iprice.my/. Data on the increase in searches were analysed by comparing the impressions data recorded from March 18 – April 17, 2020 as compared to February 16, 2019 – March 17, 2020.
Sources:
3. MCO potentially breeding more ‘MasterChefs”
Malaysians are probably tired of packed foods and are supplying themselves with more home-cooked food. Data reveals high interest in appliances such as , mixers, & ovens. This suggests that people are showing interest to experiment with various kinds of recipes.
Data shows search interest for kitchen appliances such as bread makers increase 7,587%, stand mixers 3,048%, ovens 1,058% & air fryers 2,029%.
4. Nintendo Switch potentially the preferred game console during the pandemic
The inability to go outdoors may lead to excessive boredom for various individuals. As such, people are looking for ways to stay entertained at home & driving the needs of gaming. Data shows high search interest for gaming items such as , game & board games such as Monopoly.
The Animal Crossing game experienced a 17,427% search interest increase, Nintendo Switch on average increase 1,064%, also board games, saw a 4,336% in search interest among Malaysians.
5. Tablets preferred over laptops?
In equipping to WFH, Malaysians are probably purchasing more laptops or PCs. However, data reveals a high interest in tablets. On average, searches for tablets increase 1,125%, while laptops recorded 299% increase in search interest.
This would suggest Malaysians are probably acquiring tablets for work or entertainment activities.
6. Staying fit indoors
Worries about gaining weight resulted from staying home for too long have circulated all over social media. This has potentially motivated people to start doing workouts indoors. This is supported with data, showing a surge in interest for gym equipment such as and .
Data reveals an exponential increase for gym equipment such as skipping ropes 4,528% and yoga mats 2,016%.
Research methodology
Data featured in this study were obtained by aggregating thousands of product pages of more than 150 online merchants through https://iprice.my/. Data on the increase in searches were analysed by comparing the impressions data recorded from March 18 – April 17, 2020 as compared to February 16, 2019 – March 17, 2020.
Sources:
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