The Long and Short Term Impact of COVID-19 on E-Commerce and Retail Industries for US

COVID-19 limits people’s travel and social distance, causing online retail sales to explode. The Internet as a shopping method can overcome the limitations of physical shops, such as space limitations and time constraints. At the same time, online shopping makes it easier for consumers to compare prices, quality, and styles and pursue a personalized experience between items. However, the literature does not provide a clear answer to whether consumers have changed their habits and prefer to shop online or whether this is simply a choice forced upon them during the pandemic. This research aims to use event study and forecasting models to analyze the impact of COVID-19 on the e-Commerce and retail sectors. Evidence showed in this paper suggests that after gaining a temporary advantage during the pandemic, the e-commerce sector will slow its growth in the post-epidemic era and even reach new all-time lows.