Pandemic Makes Sales of Health care Products in E-Commerce Soar

The e-commerce company Tokopedia recorded a surge in sales of health products and daily necessities during 2020. The Covid-19 pandemic in 2020 has made people more often buy masks, hand sanitizers, and face shields.

As of October last year, Tokopedia recorded an increase in transactions in health products of almost 2.5 times compared to the same period in 2019. Meanwhile, based on the latest Tokopedia flashback report, the total masks sold in 2020 could reach more than five times the total population of Java Island. which amounts to 141 million people.

Meanwhile, the number of hand sanitizers sold on the Tokopedia platform has reached a total Balinese population of 4.22 million. At the start of the pandemic, in March 2020, sales of masks increased 197 times compared to before the pandemic. In addition, Tokopedia also recorded sales of 72 thousand hand sanitizers in 42 minutes.

“We see the increasing enthusiasm of the community in online transactions, even during the pandemic,” said VP of Corporate Communications Tokopedia, Nuraini Razak in a press release, today (7/1).

Sales of Daily Needs Products are Increasing

Apart from health products, Tokopedia also recorded an increase in sales of daily necessities. On the record, a Tokopedia user has shopped up to 19,000 times for daily necessities products in a year.

In 2020, in the face of a surge in transactions for health products and daily necessities, the company launched various initiatives and collaborations with strategic partners. One of the initiatives undertaken was #JagaEkonomiIndonesia and Waktu Indonesia Belanja (WIB).

During 2020, the most distant shipment that occurred on the platform was from Banda Aceh to Merauke. Inter-island transactions have more than doubled when compared to 2019. The total distance to send packages during 2020 could reach more than 46 billion kilometers.

In addition, the company also recorded an increase in the number of sales or new sellers during 2020. Now, the number of sellers has reached 9.9 million, 100% of the sellers are Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises, 94% are ultra-micro.

Another e-commerce company, Shopee, recorded an increase in transactions in the care and beauty category products during the pandemic. Specifically, male consumers shop for masks more. While packaged food is mostly purchased by female customers.

Based on a MarkPlus survey of 500 respondents in July-September, most consumers chose Tokopedia and Shopee during the Covid-19 pandemic. The reason is that the two companies offer a number of promotions.

Tokopedia is Rumored to be Merged with Gojek

The issue of the Gojek and Tokopedia merger that was blowing hard recently was considered more useful than the merger between Gojek and Grab. Chairman of the Next Indonesia Unicorn Foundation (NextICorn) Daniel Tumiwa said, both Gojek and Tokopedia, joining forces will result in a much stronger business fundamental.

“This is independent of the red and white or regional affairs, but it complements each other,” said Daniel through his statement, Friday (8/1/2021). He believes that the impact of the Gojek merger with Tokopedia is very significant and more beneficial, including for the development of Indonesia’s digital economy.

“When talking about Indonesia’s digital economy, this step will further accelerate our economic development,” he stressed. According to Daniel, if the Gojek merger with Tokopedia is realized, it will make the two entities move very quickly. Having the flexibility to carry out various things which at this time may still be hit by a number of obstacles.

“Expanding its reach with a more complete offer. It is not hampered by issues of ego, processes, procedures, or any other technical matters. Focus on being able to lift the Indonesian economy as soon as possible with the empowerment that has been brought by each institution so far,” he continued.

This also makes the plan to merge Gojek with Tokopedia will have a more positive impact when compared to the previous rumors that said Gojek will merge with Grab. The reason is, Gojek and Grab are in similar industries and services.