E-Commerce Tending to Health and Wellness Needs
E-Commerce Tending to Health and Wellness Needs
People are more concerned than ever about their health and well-being in the aftermath of the pandemic. As a result, they are increasingly turning to digital and e-commerce solutions to meet their requirements.
As a result, e-commerce businesses selling everything from personalized eating plans to immune-boosting supplements to mindfulness practices have emerged, providing consumers with the tools they need to monitor, maintain, and take control of their health in an ever-changing and uncertain landscape.
The E-Commerce Times spoke with health and wellness experts from a variety of sectors to gain a better understanding of how e-commerce has been integrated into this new – and increasingly health-conscious – world.
"The pandemic left a massive health legacy," Shruti Chawla, Spoon Guru's vice president of marketing, told the E-Commerce Times. "According to a recent [report] by PWC, Google, and Spoon Guru, nearly a third of the UK population has altered their diet in the aftermath of the pandemic.
"Not only are people more aware of the impact of nutrition on the immune system, but they are also more motivated than ever to make changes to their diets and lifestyles that will result in physically and mentally healthier versions of themselves."
Wellness Is Personal
Personalization is a critical component of pandemic and post-pandemic health e-commerce offerings. Consumers are increasingly aware that there is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to health and wellness, and they value offerings that enable them to tailor the products and services they purchase to their unique circumstances.
"Retailers must deliver the seamless omnichannel experience that consumers expect, even more so in today's climate, where health and ethical concerns are paramount," Chawla said.
"The fundamental requirement for retailers to succeed is to differentiate themselves in this highly competitive landscape by providing their customers with a personalized and relevant shopping experience that enables them to find products that are more tailored to their needs and preferences.
"It's also a significant opportunity for retailers to assist consumers in navigating the bewildering array of information available to them," she added.
Consumers are also looking for products and services that are specifically tailored to their unique needs during an uncertain and shifting time period when it comes to mental and emotional health.
"We've had a lot of losses this year," Cheryl Jones, owner and executive director of The Mindful Path, a coaching, training, and consulting business, told the E-Commerce Times.
"The coronavirus pandemic, isolation and restriction, social and racial unrest, job loss, and a widening political divide have all shook us to our core. We have suffered the loss of loved ones. It's been a year of crisis after crisis, on top of normal life stress.
"Despite our vaccination campaign in the United States, we are seeing the highest reported levels of anxiety and depression since the pandemic began in March. The reality is that these turbulent times of change and uncertainty will continue for some time "'She stated.
Consumers are seeking assistance in regaining a sense of wellness and wholeness during these trying times, and personalized, tailored services like those provided by Jones are becoming an integral part of the health and wellness landscape.
"My services are tailored to assist individuals in improving their health and regaining a sense of well-being — not just to alleviate stress, but to establish some new healthy habits that will enable individuals to develop a pandemic recovery plan and begin to flourish and thrive," Jones explained.
Consumers want to feel in control of their health and wellness, whether they're seeking emotional support or making grocery store purchases, and personalized plans and options give them that sense of control.
"We've already seen a spotlight shined on the need for increased personalization capabilities in the grocery industry," Chawla explained. "This is likely to become even more prevalent as more people prioritize their own health agendas, which may or may not coincide with those of their partner or children.
"The ability to quickly and easily customize the shopping experience to meet the varying needs of an entire household will be enormously beneficial."
A Well Planet
Much of the recent focus on health and wellness has been on surviving and thriving in the post-pandemic world — whatever that may look like.
"I believe the popularity of health and wellness services are fairly self-evident, given that we are in the midst of a pandemic," Taylor Morris, director of operations for Better Way Health, told the E-Commerce Times. "Individuals will go to any length to ensure their own and family members' health. With products available with a single click, it's unsurprising that demand is increasing."
Individual health and wellness are important, but so is the health and wellness of society and the planet.
"While many are focused on health, the environment, society, and our impact on the planet have all been thrust into the spotlight," Chawla explained.
"Our clients and the grocery industry as a whole are examining how they can be a catalyst for change, and technology like ours will be critical in assisting consumers in making the best choices possible for the planet and for themselves," she explained.
Adapting to and thriving in a new environment is a primary goal for many people. Consumers are eager to do whatever they can to help themselves and their families move forward, and e-commerce products and services that address that desire are finding a ready market.
"I believe in humanity, and I believe we have a tremendous opportunity to define how we will survive this pandemic," Jones of The Mindful Path asserted.
"Who am I aspiring to be? What kind of person do I wish to be? What does thriving mean to me? I believe that each of us is born with an innate desire to grow. This is a necessary component of being a human being. Occasionally, we simply require assistance in determining what that will look like "She came to a conclusion.
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