Letters | Why live-stream e-commerce is a doubled-edged sword
While this offers entrepreneurs a different route through which to sell their products, it also affords customers easy access to all sorts of products and services. All they need to do is click several buttons to find products they like. It is a more efficient mode of shopping than patronising bricks-and-mortar shops.
Selling through live streams also saves entrepreneurs the cost of renting a physical space. All they have to do is upload the pictures of their products online to sell them.
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‘Grandma Apricot’ finds online fame as she sells fruit on live streams from rural China
Live-streaming also poses a challenge to business owners because they have to adapt their marketing strategies. Because customers cannot touch the products, businesses need to provide more information to give customers the confidence to make a purchase. Businesses also need to learn new methods to attract customers, such as providing high-quality photographs and setting up a question and answer section.
Online shopping has both upsides and downsides, but it seems to be a trend that is here to stay.
Christine Lam, Kwai Chung