The light blackout that took place on Monday in Spain has had serious consequences for the ecommerce of our country. Specifically, more than 40 companies in the sector have experienced a 71% drop in sales in the national market in just 10 hours.
While the drop in turnover at the time that the blackout lasted is already estimated in more than 400.000 euros.
In addition, national traffic on eCommerce platforms 89% collapsed During the blackout, which affected both navigation and the operation of multiple payment systems, catwalks and logistics networks, according to a study prepared by Logistix, Correos, and Fitstore.
The blackout affects ecommerce
However, as this report indicates, the consequences are not limited to the short term. The blackout has seriously altered the logistics operation of many companies, which since Tuesday is causing delays in shipments, reward cancellations and a growing uncertainty among consumers and managers of online shops.
«It was a difficult scenario to anticip Customer confidence when, in the end, it is something totally alien to any business, ”explains Luis Cañada, CEO of Fitstore.es.
“Our stores work with full normality, but restoring the entire national network is more complex than expected, since recovery has not been synchronous in all areas,” adds Cañada.
-The impact has been aggravated by the coincidence with the worker’s day bridge, a traditionally active date for online sales by coinciding at the start of the month, when many consumers take advantage of the collection of their salaries to make purchases. “April closes down and the long May bridge can slow down what we are accustomed to the first of the month in online stores,” he says.
International consequences
Internationally, energy chaos also leaves its consequences. Ecommerce companies analyzed by this report reported falls above 10% in its global sales. Although the affectation was less than in the domestic market, interruptions in logistics chains have impacted international shipments from Spain. «Although abroad the affectation was lower, the Logistic interruptions he Damaged the image of Spain without we can control it. After so much effort, it is especially frustrating, ”explains Cañada.
As a consequence, the blackout, whose causes have not yet been officially detailed by the Government or by network operators, has lit alarms in a sector that depends strongly on the digital stability. Sector associations have already requested urgent investigation and measures to reinforce technological infrastructure against similar events in the future.
An industry in full growth
Similarly, the moment could not be more critical. According to CNMC data, the Spanish ecommerce exceeded 2024 the 80,000 million euros in billing, with sustained growth of more than 15% per year. «This blackout has caused billing falls of more than € 400,000 in just 10 hours In the ecommerce of our logistics platform, and has undermined confidence in the reliability of the digital market, ”says Cañada.
In addition, the Fitstore report suggests that the effects of the blackout could be extended for several more days, as logistics flows are regularized and purchase processes are normalized. «This is a reminder of the digital dependence and The fragility of the current economy», Concludes the expert.
Meanwhile, many online businesses try to recover the pulse with different campaigns, but what is clear is that this Monday will be marked as a black day for the Spanish ecommerce.
