How Covid-19 is changing consumer patterns in SE-Asia

WHILE Covid-19 may be among the most devastating of all black swan events to hit South-east Asia, it is by no means the first - and like previous crises in the world, it is introducing long-lasting changes to consumer behaviour and digital adoption.

Bain and Facebook have been studying the exponential growth of digital consumer behaviour in South-east Asia for three years. As we move into the second half of 2020 and the next normal, we examine what has changed and what hasn't, and we consider what the future will look like for companies.

Covid-19 is intensifying the move online and serving as a catalyst for important changes. Online purchasing, digital consumption and average online basket size all have risen substantially and will continue to grow at record-setting rates, providing an opportunity for traditional businesses, large marketplaces and disruptive business models to thrive.