“This Covid-19-induced inflection in e-retail is a global phenomenon driven by an enhanced consumer need for safety and convenience, especially during elongated stay-at-home periods. This has also played out in India wherein e-retailers have been the lifeline for both consumers and sellers – enabling access to essential commodities and hygiene products to millions of households during the lockdown and providing business avenues to thousands of sellers. We expect the surge in penetration to sustain post stabilisation, as a similar trend has been seen globally,” said, Arpan Sheth, a partner in Bain & Company’s Mumbai and Washington, D.C. offices.