The lockdown has rigorously crippled half the ecosystem, especially e-commerce and mobility services; but the other half – digital players in content, social media and so on – is having a field day. The impact is also disparate across segments of e-commerce, India’s biggest start-up sub-sector, where sale of groceries and food-related essentials are permitted during the lockdown.
Impact on the tech world
The impact has been disparate across the technology world. Online travel platforms, hotel aggregators, flight booking sites, cab-booking apps and real estate-related services have been shut since March 24. They have had zero sales, and this scenario is unlikely to change for several months.
On the other hand, digital services from social media, to online video streaming, e-learning, news, digital payments and e-health are all seeing a boom. But this surge might not be sustainable, say experts, as people would pull back on their discretionary spending in the near future.
The impact is also disparate across segments of e-commerce, India’s biggest start-up sub-sector, where sale of groceries and food-related essentials are permitted during the lockdown. Everything else includes electronics and mobiles, which account of for 60-70 per cent of these companies’ yearly revenues, have been shut.
A study in contrast are food-delivery apps, which have stayed afloat by convincing the authorities that folks need their favorite cuisine delivered to their homes during lockdown. However, as most restaurants stay shut, their services are also limited.
