E-Commerce During COVID in Spain: One “Click” Does Not Fit All

IMF Working Papers, May 24, 2024

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Canonical URL: E-Commerce During COVID in Spain: One “Click” Does Not Fit All

Authors: Prachi Mishra, Alvaro Ortiz, Tomasa Rodrigo, Antonio Spilimbergo, Sirenia Vazquez
Published: May 24, 2024
Series: IMF Working Papers
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400277399.001

By Prachi Mishra, Alvaro Ortiz, Tomasa Rodrigo, Antonio Spilimbergo, Sirenia Vazquez
May 24, 2024
IMF Working Papers, Working Paper No. 2024/107
Pages: 36
Volume: 2024
Issue: 107
DOI: https://doi.org/10.5089/9798400277399.001
ISBN: 9798400277399
ISSN: 1018-5941
Stock No: WPIEA2024107

Research question: How did e-commerce use in Spain change during COVID, and which behavioral mechanisms (fear, hoarding, learning) explain observed changes?
Data: A unique proprietary dataset on credit card transactions.

The share of e-commerce in total credit-card spending boomed during Covid in Spain.
Demographic patterns during the pandemic:
- Women used e-commerce proportionally more during the pandemic.
- Youth used e-commerce proportionally more during the pandemic.
- Urban consumers used e-commerce proportionally more during the pandemic.
Sectoral pattern:
- The increased e-commerce use during the pandemic was especially pronounced for services.
Post-pandemic evolution:
- Overall, e-commerce share reverted to its pre-Covid trend as the pandemic waned.
Heterogeneity and lasting change:
- Some consumers with lower pre-Covid e-commerce usage tend to permanently use more e-commerce, supporting the conjecture of “learning by locking” for these individuals.

Subject areas: Consumption, COVID-19, Expenditure, Health, National accounts, Population and demographics, Total expenditures
Keywords: aggregate consumption e-commerce, Consumption, Covid, Covid e-commerce usage, Covid trend, COVID-19, e-commerce, e-commerce share, Europe, learning, share of e-commerce, Total expenditures

IMF Working Paper No. 2024/107