The development of e-commerce in China during the COVID-19 pandemic on the example of the textile industry

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to analyze the current situation with e-commerce in China’s textile industry and new business models during the COVID-19 epidemic. The author studied the vital problems of the Chinese textile industry from the point of view of electronic commerce. In order to solve research problems, the method of qualitative content analysis was used to classify and summarize the research situation. Data sources include the latest academic papers, industry analytical reports of securities research institutions, reports of consulting companies (Boston Consulting Group, McKinsey & Company, etc.), as well as government and organization documents (ITMF, United Nations, etc.). Based on the research process, it can be concluded that during the COVID-19 period up to the middle of 2021, China’s textile industry experienced four stages, having switched from traditional e-commerce to interested e-commerce. Innovation and digital transformation seem to be necessary conditions for China’s textile industry to overcome the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally, the author puts forward a long-term development trends of the textile industry after the COVID-19 epidemic.