As I scroll through my Shein cart, I think to myself, can’t I just get these on the highstreet, probably in better fabrics and finishes? That weekend, I feel giddy with my day out, the spoils of my shopping spree, with my friends, sweet treat in hand, no wait required, almost as if I haven’t done so in forever. The pandemic has taken all the fun out of shopping, but a lot of shoppers like myself are rediscovering the joys of in-store shopping.
While E-commerce remains robust, growth is not increasing at the same rates as it has before. According to the latest Ryder E-commerce study, 41% of cosmetics shoppers now favour the brand’s physical stores or department/convenience stores, a 9% increase from last year. Similarly, 54% of apparel shoppers prefer shopping in physical stores, also up by 9%. This trend reflects a shift in consumer preferences, with 61% of survey respondents citing the in-store experience (such as trying on items and comparing products) as the reason they shop in person—an increase of 21% compared to last year. Shoppers additionally cited avoiding the wait for online deliveries, and preventing package theft.
Governments are increasingly implementing policies to curb the rise of cheap e-commerce imports, especially from Chinese platforms like Temu, Shein, and AliExpress. The U.S. is tightening a trade loophole, known as the de minimis exemption, which allows small shipments under $800 to bypass import tariffs, affecting fast-fashion companies. Similarly, the European Commission plans to impose customs duties on low-cost goods, eliminating the current €150 duty-free threshold. These efforts aim to protect domestic businesses from unfair competition, and may also require online retailers to register for VAT payments, even for low-value goods.
Southeast Asian governments also are adopting stricter import measures to protect domestic industries. Indonesia plans to impose safeguard duties of 100% to 200% on imports like footwear, clothing, textiles, and cosmetics. Malaysia has introduced a 10% sales tax on imported goods under 500 ringgit, while the Philippines has imposed a 1% withholding tax on online merchants. In Thailand, the entry of Chinese e-commerce company Temu has sparked calls for higher tariffs. More taxes and restrictions on e-commerce platforms are expected to be implemented across the region.
Due to the implementation of e-commerce safeguard policies across several countries, a revitalised demand for B2B commerce is expected to rise, particularly as B2C channels face heightened restrictions and duties. This shift could significantly impact express logistics. As cross-border e-commerce faces increasing tariffs and regulatory hurdles, the emphasis may move towards bulk shipments for businesses rather than small, direct-to-consumer deliveries. Express logistics companies will likely need to adapt by focusing on B2B services, streamlining the supply chain for businesses that require large-scale imports, while also supporting domestic retail replenishment. With a renewed interest in physical retail, , the logistics sector may see a growing demand for efficient, large-volume deliveries to support local businesses rather than individual e-commerce parcels.
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