E-commerce and the Covid-19 pandemic: what are the impacts on book acquisition?

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic had effects on commerce, expanding the use of e-commerce as a possibility of sale, due to social distancing, streamlined to live with the spread of the virus. Therefore, the sale of books was also impacted. This work seeks to clarify the impacts perceived by book shoppers on e-commerce during the Covid-19 pandemic. The research, in terms of purpose, is qualitative and descriptive, as it seeks to describe characteristics of a given population, not seeking to explain phenomena. Documentary collection was used, through materials that have not yet received an analytical treatment. For data analysis, the documentary model was applied, performing the identification, verification, and appreciation of documents with a specific purpose. The study was based on the records of the Reclame Aqui platform, about the e-commerce of books by Amazon, during the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. The 115 manifestations considered were categorized, based on the content analysis, to be possibly understand the impacts of the pandemic on book acquisition. The Atlas.ti software was used to analyze the data obtained and, after observing the results, it was verified that issues related to delivery, payment, status and return of products, in addition to the use of the site, were issues that impacted the e-commerce of books. In addition, customers have become more aware of issues involving health and e-commerce has started to be used more due to the pandemic. E-commerce is more accessible, given that there is no need to travel to make the purchase, and due to the Covid-19 outbreak, there has been an increase in the number of people using this means to make their purchases and e-commerce. E-books have ease of access, these being opportunities for e-commerce, while threats are problems involving logistical issues, book damage and delivery.