- According to the latest research from Glovo, 43% of businesses across the UK, Europe and Africa now listen to their customers more due to the pandemic
- 77% of all SMEs surveyed believe that consumers want more choice and personalization in the future
- Reaching new customers is one of the main challenges for 34% of SMEs
Glovo, one of the world’s leading multi-category delivery players, has shown that customer centricity will prove vital to small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in the 12 months ahead.
Surveying 3,200 small and medium sized enterprises across nine markets encompassing Europe, the UK and Africa, almost half said they now listen to their customers more following the pandemic.
This period of greater customer centricity has continued to now—a period of equally challenging circumstances for many SMEs. With over half (58%) of businesses across all markets saying better customer outreach could help them prepare for the future. The need to listen more to customers and reach them in more innovative ways will therefore be central to SMEs navigating what is set to be a challenging year.
The answer for many will therefore be to keep a period of accelerated consumer learning forged during the pandemic going, as they look to become increasingly innovative and agile to meet a changing consumer demographic—over a third (34%) of businesses say reaching consumers is a major challenge, as is evident in just under half (45%) of SMEs saying consumer spending remains low.
Glovo’s research showed how customer behaviour has been on a constant evolution since the first lockdowns countries experienced. Firstly, with consumers becoming used to goods and services being immediately, and locally available, creating an “economy of now”. While secondly, the digital experience also became more important for shoppers—with 48% of businesses saying it is now more important than the in-person one. While sustainability continues to be a priority for the consumer, and (according to 36% of businesses) a business opportunity for SMEs.
The report also reveals that:
- 56% of SMEs across all regions say they put more technology in place to become more agile—rising to 82% in the UK.
- 77% of all SMEs surveyed believe that consumers want more choice and personalization in the future—rising to 91% in Kenya and 84% in the UK.
- 47% of SMEs lack the resources to optimise customer service—rising to 79% in the UK
- 50% of businesses say they need help to become technologically innovative in the food and delivery sector—rising to 74% in the UK and 83% in Kenya.
To help businesses navigate a challenging economic climate, Glovo has launched Glovo Local—an all-in-one hub where local businesses can pick and choose solutions based on their needs and wants through a single site.
Services available to SMEs include digital and operational solutions for their own channels and stores; dedicated tools to help them manage their operations at point of sale (from data insights to providing supply chain solutions), and support in growing their businesses with marketing and advertising capabilities to help them reach new customers and increase their visibility.
All of this is embedded in an ecosystem of learning and development opportunities with dedicated tutorials and support within businesses’ digital journeys.
Uma Rajagopal has been managing the posting of content for multiple platforms since 2021, including Global Banking & Finance Review, Asset Digest, Biz Dispatch, Blockchain Tribune, Business Express, Brands Journal, Companies Digest, Economy Standard, Entrepreneur Tribune, Finance Digest, Fintech Herald, Global Islamic Finance Magazine, International Releases, Online World News, Luxury Adviser, Palmbay Herald, Startup Observer, Technology Dispatch, Trading Herald, and Wealth Tribune. Her role ensures that content is published accurately and efficiently across these diverse publications.