Overview
Pakistan’s economy is still primarily unregulated and cash-based. Except for big purchases that call for a bank draught or pay order, most transactions are done in cash. According to several surveys, the majority of local businesses, especially SMEs, are undocumented and outside the tax net, making up to 60% of the GDP.
Several government agencies have started providing services online. Four Pakistani airlines currently provide e-ticketing in the private sector, while virtually all regional banks provide online banking services. Given that Pakistan already has around 100 million Internet customers, and that number is anticipated to increase dramatically over the next five years, this sector of the economy is anticipated to grow gradually. Local trade resources indicate that Pakistan
Current Market Trends
Consumer goods and accessories have received the majority of the e-commerce industry’s attention. Online shoppers in Pakistan look for and buy consumer electronics, inquire about jobs, obtain education and counselling services, sell or buy cars, computers, financial services, food and groceries, and a host of other goods and services. Targeted advertising uses a wealth of data produced by consumer decisions and the records they create.
Ecommerce Services
With 56% of all visitors using it, Google Chrome is the most widely used browser, followed by Microsoft Internet Explorer/Edge (21%). The remaining 23% of searches are conducted using, in that order, Android, Safari, Opera, Opera Mini, UC Browser, Safari, and Maxthon.
Popular ecommerce Sites
Some leading ecommerce websites in Pakistan include:
• OLX.com.pk
• Daraz.pk
• Pakistanbazar.pk
• PakWheels.com
• Zameen.pk
• Shophive.com
• Homeshopping.pk
• Naheed.pk
• Foodpanda.pk
Online Payment
Cash-on-delivery is the preferred method of payment for online orders for 95% of e-companies. This causes e-commerce businesses to have specialized teams oversee cash receipts for the company, which raises operating costs and increases the liquidity requirements for those businesses. The biggest e-commerce businesses have begun to use digital payments and are hopeful that the sector will unite to persuade consumers to switch from cash on delivery to online payments. For Pakistan’s e-commerce business, digital payments are another barrier. Even though there are numerous products, such mobile banks Easy Paisa, Jazz Cash, and paisa, none of them have a significant market share.
Major Buying Holidays
On Pakistani festivals and event seasons including Eid-ul-Fitr (April), Eid-ul-Adha (July), Black Friday, New Year, and Wedding Season, e-commerce businesses get high traffic (October through April). Major athletic events may encourage the buying of apparel and gear relevant to the event.
Social Media
The popularity of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and Instagram has increased as a result of the availability of mobile broadband and reasonably priced smartphones. With more than 45 million user accounts in Pakistan and more than three billion connections daily, Facebook is the most popular social media platform. With more than 280 million connections each day, Twitter is also quickly replacing Facebook as the most popular social networking platform. Instagram, Google, and You Tube are also well-liked.
Social Media
The popularity of Facebook, Twitter, Skype, and Instagram has increased as a result of the availability of mobile broadband and reasonably priced smartphones. With more than 45 million user accounts in
