Counterpoint Research: ‘1 in 4 mobiles sold globally was purchased online in 2020’

The report anticipates the development of accelerating on-line share of handsets will decelerate for a while and 2021 will probably be much like 2020 or barely decrease.

As Covid-19 is affecting the motion of individuals, buyers are more and more turning to e-commerce portals. Counterpoint Analysis mentioned one in 4 handsets offered globally was bought on-line final 12 months with India accounting for the best share of on-line buying on this class. It’s the second consecutive 12 months for the nation to steer in on-line gross sales of cell phones.

Counterpoint Analysis mentioned that on-line gross sales accounted for about 26% share of the worldwide cell phone market in 2020, which signifies that one in 4 cell phones offered was bought on-line. “Covid-19 had a giant position on this change in client behaviour. By main nation, India confirmed the best on-line share at 45%, adopted by the UK at 39% and China at 34%,” it added.

India’s smartphone shipments declined 4% y-o-y to succeed in greater than 150 million models in 2020 as excessive client demand post-lockdown and robust promotions on on-line channels and new use circumstances like e-learning and do business from home, drove the market within the pandemic-hit 12 months.

In 2019 as effectively, India accounted for the best share of on-line handset gross sales at 41% adopted by UK at 34%, Germany at 33% and China at 25%. In 2018, the net share of Indian smartphone shipments reached a document 36% pushed by a robust efficiency of Flipkart and Amazon.

The share of on-line handset gross sales in 2020 elevated by almost 6% factors in comparison with the earlier 12 months. By way of market dimension, it elevated by greater than 10%, Counterpoint Analysis mentioned.

“This development was sturdy not solely in superior markets such because the US and Europe but additionally in rising markets like India and Latin America. In China, the place the unfold of Covid-19 first occurred, it peaked within the first half and softened barely within the second half, whereas the US and India recorded the best ever on-line share within the second half of 2020,” the market analysis agency identified.

The report anticipates the development of accelerating on-line share of handsets will decelerate for a while and 2021 will probably be much like 2020 or barely decrease.

Counterpoint Analysis senior analyst Sujeong Lim mentioned after the fast progress in 2020, Counterpoint expects 2021 to see some easing after the Covid-19 vaccination. Nonetheless, it’s anticipated to develop barely yearly from 2022 onwards, supported by progress in rising markets and the middle-aged inhabitants turning into extra accustomed to IT gadgets and web use.

“However within the case of India, which at the moment has the best on-line proportion, it could lower to a sure stage after 2022 as a result of improvement of offline infrastructure akin to multi-brand shops and large-scale retail shops. Alternatively, the long run progress of the net market in SEA and MEA is noteworthy,” Lim added.