Online shopping has become a norm for modern consumers and is gradually gaining popularity in Bangladesh. The history of online shopping in Bangladesh can be traced back to the late 1990s, when the first online shopping websites emerged. Over the years, the country’s e-commerce industry has grown rapidly and has become a significant part of the country’s economy. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the history of online shopping in Bangladesh and how it has evolved over the years.

The early years: 2000-2010

The first online shopping website in Bangladesh was launched in the year 2000. At that time, online shopping was a new concept, and people were skeptical about it. Nevertheless, a few pioneers saw the potential and started selling their products online. These early online shops mainly sold books, music, and electronics. The online shopping experience was not yet fully developed, and the websites were often slow and unreliable.

The rise of e-commerce: 2010-2015

Over the next decade, the e-commerce industry in Bangladesh continued to grow and mature. New online shops started appearing, and the quality of the websites improved. With the advent of faster internet connections and better payment gateways, more people started to embrace online shopping. Online shopping became more convenient and accessible, and the number of online shoppers began to grow rapidly. In addition, many international e-commerce companies started to enter the Bangladesh market, and the competition between local and international players increased.

The growth of mobile shopping: 2015-2020

The rise of smartphones in Bangladesh was a turning point for the e-commerce industry. With the increasing number of people using smartphones, the popularity of mobile shopping grew rapidly. Online shops started to develop mobile-friendly websites and mobile apps, making online shopping even more accessible and convenient. Moreover, with the introduction of mobile payment systems such as bKash, online shopping became even more secure and trustworthy.

The current state of online shopping in Bangladesh: 2020-present

Today, online shopping has become a popular and trusted way of buying products in Bangladesh. The e-commerce industry has continued to grow and mature, and there are now many established online shops offering a wide range of products. In addition, with the COVID-19 pandemic, online shopping has become even more popular, as people look for safe and convenient ways to buy goods. With the growth of the e-commerce industry, the Bangladesh government has taken steps to regulate and promote online shopping, which has further increased its popularity and trustworthiness.

In conclusion, the history of online shopping in Bangladesh has come a long way. From its humble beginnings in the late 1990s, the e-commerce industry has grown rapidly and become a significant part of the country’s economy. With the growth of mobile shopping and the support of the government, the future of online shopping in Bangladesh looks bright.