Bye‑Bye Break‑Time Browsing: Bosses, You’re in the Clear!
Recent research from iPrice (the State of Online Shoppers in Southeast Asia 2021/22 – Part Two) shows that workers in the region aren’t hitting “Add to cart” as hard between 9 AM and 5 PM as we might have feared. The most shopping sprint happens during lunch, after work, or when the weekend hits its noon or night party.
What’s the Big Shift?
Four years ago, the peak shopping moment was a mid‑week surge: Wednesday at 3 PM. Now the rhythm has changed:
- Lunch breaks – Quick scrolls for that instant craving.
- After‑work ‘me‑time’ – Craving deals while watching the last office rap‑beat.
- Sunday noon or midnight – When the weekend vibes collide with cozy corners.
Why the Shift? Theories in Action
iPrice’s obvious thought is that mobile‑first e‑commerce is the primary driver. But we’ve got a few more spicy ingredients to sprinkle:
- Delivery Expectations – Master planners can now order after hours. Thanks to faster shipping, shoppers still get their goodies in a reasonable window.
- Sale Festivals – Those “flash sale” thrills love the weekend and holiday buckets. People take advantage of the time to compare and hunt spots, even if it’s 2 AM.
Bottom Line for HR & HR‑Bros
No more “bleep!” when your team orders a new office chair at 4 PM. Enterprises can breathe easy, for now at least. Shopping habits, new‑gen tech, and fast deliveries are steering the curve.
<img alt="" data-caption="iPrice's infographic on online shopping behaviour, with dark blue indicating recent shopping patterns, and light blue showing past shopping patterns (left). iPrice infographic showing the average basket amount spent on mobile (light blue) versus desktop (dark blue), breakdown by SEA territory.
PHOTO: iPrice” data-entity-type=”file” data-entity-uuid=”95721bd4-e0fd-464d-942b-2c1e0c188e62″ src=”/sites/default/files/inline-images/170822_report_Iprice.jpg”/>
Why the Big Bucks Still Prefer Desktops
Ever wonder why you’re still scrolling on a laptop when you’re about to splurge on something expensive? Surprise, it’s the screen size, not just the fancy pixels.
Desktop Advantages for Big‑Ticket Shopping
- More screen real‑time action – Desktop displays let you see product details, side‑by‑side images, and zoom‑in options without feeling squashed.
- Big screenshots = less decision fatigue. When you’re planning to drop a feast‑budget, a bigger canvas lets you weigh features without feeling overwhelmed.
- Desktop navigation is often smoother – no constant taps or scrolling through endless menus that can derail your shopping spree.
iPrice’s Eye‑Opening Numbers
According to a recent study, the average cart value in Singapore dollars is about 75% higher on desktops compared to mobile devices across the SEA region. That’s almost a full banknote’s difference!
Singapore comes out on top, kicking the competition. And the only oddball out is Vietnam – its shoppers still love the in‑store vibe when spending on pricey gear.
Vietnam’s Outlier Explained
Even though Vietnam’s online shoppers prefer phones, they’re still drawn to offline visits for high‑cost gadgets. That might sound surprising, but it lines up with Vietnam’s recent trend of long queues at Singapore’s iPhone launch. A few stories: “Why Vietnam’s travelers line up for the new iPhone in Singapore” (1, 2).
More than Just Numbers
The HWZ team’s focus on reviewing expensive gadgets and pointing users toward official platforms stems from this insight: shopping for a big purchase shouldn’t feel like a TikTok craze. It’s about quality, assurance, and a good deal.
Got Curiosity? Check the Report
Want to dive deeper? Look into iPrice’s research – they also uncovered why most Southeast Asian phone users still stick to telco contract plans for buying smartphones.
Related Reads
Study finds Singaporeans spend a third of our lives online – Well, we kept the link out of habit, so just Google that title if you’re curious.
First published in HardwareZone, this article is a zesty peek into the world of online shopping preferences.
