The rise of e-commerce amid the Covid-19 pandemic is impacting dynamics in the real estate sector, as it drives up demand for data centres and logistics and fulfilment centres over retail spaces like shopping malls, according to research published on Tues. The research article titled “Bytes & Bricks: How E-Commerce and Covid-19 are Reshaping Real Estate” was commissioned by iSTOX in collaboration with Zero One. It noted that the online nature of e-commerce activities, like consumer behaviour studies through machine learning and product demo livestreaming, requires the support of data centres to store and process the accompanying data. More logistics facilities and fulfilment centres with sophisticated technology to sort and store goods will also be needed to meet expectations for faster deliveries, higher efficiency and lower costs. More computing power and server capacity will be needed to support the surge in user traffic, order processing and “shoppertainment” activities like e-commerce livestreaming, driving demand for data centres. E-commerce is receiving a further boost from lockdowns and social distancing measures forcing quicker adoption of digital services, including e-wallets and digital payments.... Continue Reading