Moderating Role of Gender on the Online Buying Behavior During COVID Pandemic
摘要
Online shopping which gained relevance in the early millennium in the world, gained much importance in India in the last decade. If it is growing at the same speed, it may overtake traditional shopping in a few years. The impact of COVID-19 has been felt around the world and the world is getting attuned to the new normal scenario. The pandemic has brought about significant changes in our lives, affecting various aspects such as our lifestyle, spending habits, and purchasing behavior. Among the notable shifts in purchasing behavior during this time are the hesitancy to visit crowded stores and the growing preference for online shopping. These changes provide an opportunity to investigate gender variations in online purchasing behavior, which can be valuable for targeted marketing strategies. This study aims to delve into the gender differences in online buying habits during the COVID-19 pandemic. A convenience sampling technique was employed to collect primary data from approximately 269 respondents. The framework for the study was established using secondary data obtained from journal publications and websites. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) was employed to analyze the impact of gender on online buyer behavior. The study's results indicate that, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, there is no notable discrepancy between male and female individuals regarding online shopping behavior. However, distinctions emerge between male and female respondents in relation to specific factors like low price or discount, as well as the availability of choices and varieties.