49 indian consumers say online sites and apps became the preferred mode of shopping for them in the last 12 months as per a local circles surveysafety from covid19 and convenience were cited as top reasons by consumers for using ecommerce 69 of those who shop on ecommerce bought groceriesessential supplies online consumers used large ecommerce platforms as well as small verticals or local ecommerce sites to purchase groceries and essentials as per the survey feedback indicates shopping via ecommerce sites apps has become a habit for 33 ecommerce shoppers and their usage continues despite markets retail stores and malls being fully functional and open advt the survey said consumers are using services like big basket amazon freshpantry jio mart flipkart grofers and a host of local ecommerce sites for essentials and groceries since march 20 consumers reported improvement in returns and refunds processing and ability to reach out to customer service of ecommerce sites and apps in the last 12 months the highest number of consumers say free shipping for all orders and more effective and efficient returns and refunds process will make them use ecommerce sites and apps more for their purchases going forward localcircles conducted an extensive study which received over 130000 responses from over 42000 unique consumers located in 358 districts of india 48 of the study participants were from tier 1 districts while 31 were from tier 2 districts and 21 were from tier 3 tier 4 and rural districts 49 of consumers in the survey said they preferred ecommerce sites and apps for shopping in the last 12 months 18 said they called local retail stores and get home delivery 31 visited mall local retailers markets and shop there while 2 couldnt say the findings indicate that 49 of consumers and their family preferred ecommerce for shopping while 18 called local stores and got home deliveries among the reasons why consumers trusted ecommerce sites and apps in the last 12 months more than before 86 of the ecommerce shoppers said safe deliveries or no reason to step out 50 said competitive prices 48 said ease of return or return policy 46 said expanded product selection 45 said faster deliveries and another 45 said increased product information and relatable reviews the findings indicate that safe or contactless deliveries and not wanting to step out was the top reason why consumers trusted ecommerce sites and apps in the last 12 months advt while consumers trusted ecommerce platform for reasons of safety when asked about why they continued the use of the ecommerce sites and apps to regularly make their purchases in the last 12 months 63 said personal safety or social distancing norms due to covid19 61 said convenience 45 said ease of return and refund 44 said better value or price 41 said fast delivery and another 41 said product range the findings indicated that personal safety and convenience followed by ease of return or refund and better value were top reasons why consumers