How is Bangladesh's F-commerce scenario that boomed during the COVID?

Facebook-based businesses increased significantly during COVID-19. During the pandemic, as many businesses and jobs collapsed, people resorted to online to restart their lives. Many people, especially women and students, started their businesses online. 

The lenient rules, low investment, and consumer trust encouraged them to try their luck, and F-commerce proved successful for many of them.

During the pandemic, as people found themselves behind closed doors, they reconnected to their passions. Noushin Jarin started her artwork page Peachy Turtle when her experimental mandala artwork gained attention and love on social media during the lockdown. 

"I sell customised artworks like oil and acrylic paintings on canvases, bags, and other clothing pieces, resin crafts," said Noushin. Like her, many realised the potential of their hobbies and passion becoming a stable earning source; for many, it did. Now she sells 3 to 4 paintings every month.

The pandemic gave businesses a chance to grow online. Even though online shopping existed, it attained its full cycle during COVID. 

Farhana Akther, the owner of the Artsy Closet Fine Jewellery page, remarked, 'Online shopping trends surged during COVID. People appreciated having goods and services a few clicks away." 

However, as COVID restrictions relaxed, consumers underwent another change. For instance, homemade food pages became popular during the pandemic. 

As restaurants were closed, people relied on homemade foods to satisfy their taste buds. With the normalcy of our life after the pandemic, this preference decreased.
Facebook-based businesses don't need to invest in advertising, physical shop maintenance, and employees. These online enterprises relied on word of mouth as a major marketing strategy. 

Subah Ferdous, the owner of the bakery page, Ferdose of Sugar, quickly gathered a clientele basis in her hometown Chittagong through word of mouth and social media advertising. Her friends and family promoted her page on their social media handles and quickly spread the word.

There is no denying that the current inflation has been hard on all businesses. In this inflation-hot world, where everyone struggles to make ends meet, people can't afford to spend on new items. The demand for goods has decreased drastically as the prices of raw materials have increased. This has caused many businesses to scale back or even shut down. \

Arnika Tabassum, the owner of Allure Elegance's pre-order page, had to shut down her operations for two months due to the dollar crisis.

Pre-order businesses don't require a big investment. So, many people in our country started doing the pre-order business. It seemed like a smart gamble. But with the inflation and dollar crisis, these businesses are struggling. 

Arnika shared, "The price changes are so abrupt it is difficult to hang on to customers. "I sold a product for TK 450 in 2021; now it has become TK 750 owing to the inflation." She constantly has to explain why the price of goods has increased.

In case of businesses that import from outside the country have been facing issues with shipping costs directly. 

Farhana, who sells imported jewellery, shared, "I had in increase prices consequently, and sales have dropped about 20% on average except Eid season." 

Not only that, but Farhana also supplies her ethnic jewellery to many customers residing outside Asia. The increased shipping cost has affected that market segment as well.

The dollar crisis is also making it expensive for these sellers to boost their pages and market their products in this saturated market. It becomes even costlier if you don't have a business identification number. Due to these issues, many rely on word of mouth or other free advertising options. But it markets its product to a small pool, many of whom aren't even their targeted niche.

Besides these issues, businesses have been struggling with local delivery systems for years. The local delivery systems were inefficient enough to tackle such a surge of businesses during the pandemic. Even today, they don't have the expertise and means to deliver myriad types of products. 

Subah explains, "I have tried over 5 or 6 delivery services. Most delivery services overlook the fact that cakes and pastries must be handled carefully because they are extremely delicate." 

The repeated mistakes have forced her to rely on her transportation. But the thing is, not many can manage to do that. Businesses that are just starting or expanding often cannot manage their transportation. They have relied on the delivery system and repeatedly cover their mistakes from their own pockets.

Running a business is no joke. You have to pass many sleepless nights, give up many of your desires and deal with people who often disrespect you. But even with all these, many youngsters in our country have taken steps towards starting their ventures. Even though inflation squeezes consumers' pockets, new sellers are rising. 

The f-commerce has been marked as a sector for women's empowerment. A report by Meta showed that women were behind 70 per cent of Facebook-based businesses. 
Anika, who started her business in Dinajpur, noted, "My initiative encouraged many women in my surroundings to start their own, and they are doing very good". 

Noushin wants to share her experience and knowledge gained from her business with young artists through her art school. These businesses give many women and young people the confidence and direction for their future goals. 

However, the government needs to look into making things easier for the sellers. Their never-ending woes need to come at a pace to let them and the economy shine through.

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