Tag: Coronavirus

Retail and e-commerce
Business

Changing Scenario of Retail and e-commerce

Dec 20, 2021 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Anuj Mundhra, #Coronavirus, #E-Commerce, #pandemic, #Raghunandan Saraf, #Retail, #Siddharth Maurya

During the pandemic years, the retail industry was highly inclined towards necessities and basics as the coronavirus ensured that such utilities will never be out of fashion.

Even the online delivery platforms focussed on food items, groceries, food and vegetables compared to luxury and discretionary items. However, as the vaccination paced up and the festive season headed closer, consumers shifted their pockets towards revenge expenditure in travelling, clothing, outing and more.

Ever since the coronavirus pandemic, the retail and e-commerce sector has witnessed tectonic shifts in terms of commerce and business. Technology continues to disrupt and transform the retail landscape.

Raghunandan Saraf, Founder and CEO, Saraf Furniture said that retail is witnessing a strong shift and customers are demanding for an end to end experiences at doorsteps. “It is not limited to e-commerce of the products. It is more inclined towards the change in needs and demands.”

As customer behaviour changes, retailers should hawk-eye the dynamic trends to ensure the success of the businesses for years to come. Here are trends that retailers should keep at focus.

Creating omnichannel routes

It is the latest trend in the retail sector to create omnichannel strategies for success. Nykaa is exemplary of its success as customers are opting for the players with Omni-channels.

Customers are looking on their devices for the routes, products, reviews, description, utilities and results. The ubiquity of devices means that consumers demand a seamless experience across multiple touchpoints.

Personalized Retailing

Customers need a personalized shopping experience. This involves retailers giving genuine suggestions for customers based on their tastes, locations, history and needs. This also includes simplification and ease of retailing with chat-bots, text messages and emails providing delivery updates and other related services.

“Personalised products and services are the hottest fads in retail,” said Anuj Mundhra, Chairman & MD, JaipurKurti.com. “Customers are thriving for experiences, which are unmatched. They are looking for personal touch through virtual means and retailers are finding routes for it.”

Serving the Immediate Needs

The retail industry is tackling a new breed of customers, the impatient ones. The fast-food cultured generation Z demands everything immediately and they are willing to pay for it too. This is why companies are looking for technology-led solutions like chat-bots over telephonic customer care.

Retailers need to not only expand the horizons of their products and allied services but also expedite them to serve the growing culture of immediacy. Some retailers are so quick that they show the inventory status online, setting up delivery lockers and on-time delivery at the doorsteps. However, all this needs an efficient supply chain and inventory.

New Markets and New Channels

The retail industry needs to swiftly navigate within the possible new markets, with large long-term potential and create new channels. Technology has made it easier but businesses still struggle hard to cope with it. Thanks to the rising acceptance of e-commerce channels, retailing is not confined to a single location. But this needs an effective digital strategy.

The footsteps of the digital-first ecosystem is likely to last longer and retailers need to adopt new channels along with the traditional means in order to increase their customer needs. Integration of multiple systems will open new doors for the retailers, where they can untap the opportunities and feed the growing appetite.

Siddharth Maurya, Resource Specialist- Fund Management said that there is immense potential and technology is the key but not the only solution. “Look at Alibaba for instance, which moved out of China and made its mark across the globe. Indian retailers should pitch-hit at the national levels, followed by solidarity at the international space.”

Embracing Digital Payments

Using mobile as a payment method is one of the biggest emerging trends for retail players. Almost every customer is a smartphone user, which is now an indispensable companion in daily life. Certain retailers have kicked off UPI-enabled payments but mass acceptance of digital payment is not widely implemented.

Rise of Digital payment highlights that consumers are demanding flexible payment modes. UPI enabled payments, clubbed with mobile apps, debit and credit cards and digital wallets are likely to see a big push. Such systems help the retailers to uplift the services a notch higher.

Regular Health Check-Up Essential For People With Comorbidities: Warn Doctors
Health, News

Regular Health Check-Up Essential For People With Comorbidities: Warn Doctors

May 3, 2021 by Rekha Nair 0 Comments #Apollo Diagnostics, #Coronavirus, #Dr Mukesh Budhwani, #Dr Prerna Agarwal, #General Physician Apollo Clinic Pune, #Technical operations

Pune: Doctors are urging patients who fall into the high-risk category irrespective of their age to go for regular health check-ups after every 3 month as they can be prone to Coronavirus and other infections. Not only this, such people should embrace a healthy lifestyle by following a well-balanced diet, exercising regularly, and stay stress-free.

People with multiple comorbidities that can be present in the form of physical and mental conditions can contract a plethora of allergies and infections. They are often prone to catching diseases faster when compared to healthy people. While the Indian government has taken stringent measures such as nationwide lockdown and Covid protocols like masking, social distancing, and sanitizing the hands to break the transmission of the disease, the virus still continues to haunt us.

“Elderly people and adults with comorbidities such as diabetes, hypertension, heart problems, kidney disease, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are at a higher risk of contracting Covid infection. Other health issues kidney or lung failure or liver damage may also arise if people with comorbidities neglect their health. They will have to take good care of themselves in order to stay hale and hearty, improve the quality of life, and reduce morbidity and mortality rates. People with comorbidities have low immunity. It is the need of the hour for comorbid patients to go for regular health checks and stay hale and hearty”, says Dr Mukesh Budhwani, General Physician Apollo Clinic Pune.

Ones with comorbidities can opt for blood tests recommended by the doctor. Do fasting blood sugar test, check weight, uric acids levels, hemogram, kidney, liver function test, lipid profile, sonography for fatty liver, obesity and keep a tab on your blood pressure levels. Those suffering from mental conditions should stay in touch with their mental healthcare professionals. Apart from regular health check-ups people having comorbidities should stick to healthy eating. Try to incorporate all the essential nutrients into the diet. Eat fresh fruits, vegetables, legumes, pulses, whole grains, and beans. Say NO to smoking, drinking, processed, oily, spicy, and junk food. Exercise 5 days a week, do yoga and meditation to de-stress, get a good night’s sleep and don’t skip your medication or self-medicate. Stay in touch with your doctor on a regular basis and don’t hesitate to seek prompt treatment in case your condition worsens amid pandemic,” concluded Dr Prerna Agarwal, Technical operations, Apollo Diagnostics.

Dr. Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre,
Business World

Elective cardiac surgeries amid COVID19 pandemic Dr. Bipeenchandra Bhamre, Cardio-Thoracic Surgeon, Sir H N Reliance Foundation Hospital and Research Centre,

Aug 10, 2020 by Gouri Achary 0 Comments #Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair/replacement, #Coronavirus

Coronavirus is a matter of public health concern in India. Patients requiring elective surgeries such as Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) or valve repair/replacement, tend to delay them as they fear of getting infected with the coronavirus. But, doing so can be life-threatening for the patients and they may also develop complications while on the waitlist for surgery. If you have been advised to undergo elective cardiac surgery then speak to your doctor and after taking appropriate COVID 19 precautions you can undergo open-heart surgery safely.

India is reeling under Coronavirus. To curb the spread of COVID19, we followed lockdown. By doing so we borrowed time to develop and strengthen our existing medical services. Now, the GOI has started to unlock and the state government has lifted more restrictions in this stage, though it said non-essential activities in Mumbai will still continue to be restricted owing to the continued surge in the number of COVID19 cases. Many patients are anxiously waiting for their elective heart surgeries, which are resuming slowly. Elective cardiac surgery means regular cardiac surgery like routine CABG, valve repair/replacement. Those patients suffering from heart diseases such as coronary artery disease heart valve problems. Because of the pandemic, patients requiring these surgeries are anxious about getting an infection so they are avoiding surgeries and in turn, they are at constant risks for developing various complications including risks to life.

The coronavirus killed tens of thousands in the United States during the pandemic’s first months, but it also left a lesser-known toll: thousands of more deaths than would have been expected from heart disease and a handful of other medical conditions, according to an analysis of federal data by The Washington Post. The analysis suggests that in five hard-hit states and New York City there were 8,300 more deaths from heart problems than would have been typical in March, April and May, an increase of roughly 27 per cent over historical averages. The review suggests that many patients suffering from serious conditions lost their lives as a result of delaying or not seeking care as the outbreak progressed and swamped some hospitals. The danger of not getting care is greater than the danger of getting exposed to the virus.

Now, elective surgeries have resumed

By giving priority to the health of the patients, the hospitals have started doing elective surgeries. “We have started operating from 1st June, and we are operating 3 to 4 surgeries per week with all the necessary covid19 precautions. We want to give a message to people waiting for heart surgery depending on the severity of their disease the surgery should be carried out under most covid19 care protocols.,” said Dr Bipeenchandra Bhamre.

Ensure all the necessary precautions

  • Many Hospitals in Mumbai have started doing routine surgeries by adhering to the COVID-19 protocol. Visitors’ entry is restricted in the hospital.
  • Ask the patients and visitors to use masks/ cloth barriers for themselves.
  • Ensure that all the healthcare workers who are encountering patients use masks in hospitals as mandatory.
  • Hand sanitizers are being offered to all the patients and their attendees’ entering the hospital. All are being made to follow social distancing.
  • Regular cleaning and disinfection of all the high touch areas are ensured. All medical equipment used is regularly disinfected. All the medical staff attending to patients is wearing their personal protective equipment.

Takeaway: With due precautions, the chances of getting an infection during elective heart surgery is less than the risk if you don’t undergo your heart surgery.

Source of the study quoted: https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2020/investigations/coronavirus-excess-deaths-heart/