With the expansion of the internet and digital technologies, online shopping has become increasingly popular worldwide in recent years. However, online shopping experienced a significant surge in the second half of 2020, following the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the complex circumstances caused by the pandemic, online shopping saw substantial global growth in both the number of users and purchase revenue. This thesis aims to explore how the COVID 19 pandemic has influenced consumers' online shopping behavior and their changes in preferences and choices when shopping online. To address this question, the theoretical part of the thesis reviews relevant literature and studies on online shopping, changes in consumer buying behavior during crises, and the effects of COVID-19 on consumers. The theoretical section concludes with a model hypothesizing the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in online shopping behavior. The empirical part tests these hypotheses through a quantitative study conducted on the Slovenian market with a sample of 231 consumers. The results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic primarily influenced the frequency of online purchases and the trust in buying Slovenian local products online. Moreover, some online shopping patterns developed during the pandemic have persisted and continue today.
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