Effects of e-commerce on macroeconomic variables in the COVID-19 period: The case of Turkey

Technological developments from past to present have affected every aspect of human life. With the combination of technology and commerce, the concept of e-commerce has emerged. Virtual stores have emerged instead of retail stores, and buyers have the opportunity to shop without any hassle. Thanks to the ease of e-commerce, its use has become widespread day by day, while the rate of e-commerce usage has increased even more with the Covid-19 epidemic all over the world. During the epidemic, individuals turned to online shopping due to social distance and hygiene. Covid-19 has affected not only the personal lives of individuals, but also the economy of countries. The study examines the effect of e-commerce on macroeconomic variables in Turkey during the Covid-19 period. E-commerce is a sector that affects macroeconomic variables. In addition, thanks to e-commerce, customers can save time and money, which increases their consumption and can affect inflation. E-commerce can also create new job opportunities for businesses, which in turn supports lowering the unemployment rate. The impact of e-commerce on foreign trade is also important; Thanks to e-commerce, the trade volume between countries can increase and this supports foreign trade. During the pandemic period, individuals have preferred to stay at home and turn to products and services that they can purchase online. This situation contributes to the growth of e-commerce businesses and the economic growth.