Traders take to online platforms to boost businesses amid COVID-19
DIGITAL platforms, which witnessed a sudden rise during the unjust blockade imposed on Qatar, continue to proliferate amid the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A large number of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including those owned by local traders, are increasingly taking to online platforms to stay in business as well to boost it.
A number of new e-shops have come up to support business sectors, especially retail marketing, trading and hospitality, during the last couple of weeks.
While many of the major retailers have developed their own online marketing devices in these difficult times, the small and medium entrepreneurs who do not have such facilities, depend on online platforms that offer services either free of cost or on nominal charges.
Speaking to Qatar Tribune, Alby Joy, a senior official at Q-Discounts - an online portal that offers free service for both sellers and buyers - said: “Digital platforms are going to be an integral part of the business activities in future. People from all walks of life are attracted to online selling and buying, owing to transparency and easy operating system.”
Meanwhile, many of the leading retailers in hypermarket section are also planning to launch their e-shops to boost their businesses.
An IT professional at Qatar University Riyas Mansour said, “Information technology plays key role in one’s daily life right from their offices to kitchen, from selecting children’s education to checking availability of pet birds. We are going to live in such a world that is ruled by information technology.”
Co-Founder of Need Online Trading Network Leon Joy said, “We made a soft launch around a year back. However, the number of vendors registered and the customers that visited the site has registered considerable growth during COVID-19. Our site also does not display any kind of advertisement or misleading information.”
The number of sellers and buyers, who visit popular social media sites such as Facebook for business and shopping, has also increased during the pandemic.