The pandemic that has hit the world has affected a lot of businesses without a doubt. This has not spared phone sales either. In the UK, the number of phones that people are buying has reduced drastically. This happened since the outbreak of the coronavirus, in fact a research firm in the UK has observed that phone shipments have reduced drastically.
Some of the reasons why phone sales are not as much as it used to include the following factors’
Manufacturing companies
Most of the cell phones used in the UK are shipped from china. Due to the outbreak, companies had a significant reduction in making cell phones. China had to close down some factories so that people could practice social distancing to try and curb the world wide ongoing pandemic. This has made it difficult for the latest phone to be stocked in stores.
Even the ones that were already manufactured may have to wait a while before getting shipped. Research has confirmed that the virus is able to survive on different items for a certain number of days. Hence it would affect others easily if an infected person handled the phones and then passed them out to others.
However, even with decreased cases of the virus, the companies may take time to go back to full manufacturing mode. So if people are waiting for the latest iPhone or Samsungs, then they may have to wait for a while.
Mobility issues
There are many people who are unable to go to the stores to buy mobile phones. They may be affected by the coronavirus, which forces one to be isolated from the world. If not, then the safety measures require one to avoid a lot of movements that may make them susceptible to the virus.
There are several people who have other health issues that should do their best to take care of themselves by staying away from crowded places. Risking one’s life so that they can go and buy a phone would be very sad. It would also look uncaring if one was to prod someone to go and get one in that state.
Lack of Finances
The current pandemic has affected a lot more than 70,000 people with the virus and at least 8000 deaths in the UK at the time of writing.
This fact has made the country call for drastic measures to protect its people. Such measures include the downsizing of human resources in companies. For the ones who are unfortunate to get the axe, they have to review the way they spend their dimes. This can take a considerable toll on any economy. The citizens have resorted to stocking up on essentials that they may need during this critical time like food, medicine, and other essentials.
They have also resorted to paying up their rent in advance with the savings they have so that they don’t end up homeless while the pandemic is still on the scourge.
They also want to ensure that their internet plans are not disconnected due to a lack of payment because they need it to connect with their family and friends. Having a phone is quite essential at this time when social distancing is highly recommended due to the nature of the virus, but getting a new one for upgrading purposes is not in the list for most essential items to have.
A lot of UK citizens are facing uncertain times ahead with the current pandemic. Even though the government has plans to cushion at least 80 % of the workforce, the rest have nothing much to look forward to. Even with the percentage that the government is working hard to pay off, it is not sure how long that will happen.
Anybody who is wise and has some savings won’t spend it on unnecessary things because they don’t know how long the pandemic will last. This has become one of the reasons why people are not flocking the stores to get the latest versions of iPhones or Samsung. Instead they are spending more time on comparison sites to get the best mobile phone deal and not the best brand.
Cancellation of cell phone launches
The pandemic may have delayed or made launches to be cancelled. Because of the essential measures that everyone should take to protect themselves from the virus, gathering a group of people together is highly unrecommended.
One of the companies like Samsung had to take a step back in holding conventions that would give their phones release the needed fun fare. The ones who were able to buy them are very few. Launches enable people to learn the great features that the new phones have.
It educates the public on the importance of upgrading from their old cell phones and pushes them to buy the new ones before stocks run out. Without such information, people will not know what they are missing out on; hence the sales will be lower than usual.
Closure of retail stores
Even if you feel like you need one, then you may be faced with the challenge of closed shops. Many retailers like apple deciders to shut their doors so that they could protect not only their employees but the shoppers as well.
Most of the stores felt that they needed to have the right facilities to be able to test the people who walked in the shops so that everyone would be safe. But without such, the next best thing is to lie low.
Everybody is hoping that the virus passes as fast as possible.
Conclusion
Due to the above factors, the manufacturer of different brands may be forced to try and sell fast. Especially the phones that are already in the market.
They can come up with great deals. This will be a move to try and move the stock. They can do this through online platforms that offer door deliveries.
If not, then all that you need is time so that things can get back to normal. Once that happens, then you will be able to get in your favorite phone shop and pick up the latest one.
