Is It a Bird? Is It a Plane? Nope, It’s Superapps Taking Over E-Commerce

I’m at my desk and my coffee is going cold, thinking about how selling online used to be. My phone was full of apps back then. One for chats, one for shopping, one for bills. I’d jump between them and get annoyed just to get something done. Now I open one superapp and it’s all there. Chat, food, shopping, so easy. I’ve been in e-commerce a long time with Ergode and superapps are the big change I’ve watched grow. They’re taking over how we buy and sell and it’s no small thing.

One App Does It All

Like just last week, I’m on WhatsApp talking to my son about his cricket practice. He missed a catch and says his socks slipped him up. I laugh and tell him he’s making excuses, but he sends me a link to grippy socks he wants. Two taps and I buy them right there while we’re chatting. Then the app shows me a cricket ball deal and says it’s perfect for his practice, so I grab that too. That’s how superapps work. They keep everything in one place. They’re smart and add little things you can’t skip, and before you know it you’re all in.

They Know What I Want

And they don’t guess. They know me. That cricket ball came up because they watch what I do. When I was in China last month, I used WeChat for a ride after a long day. It showed me a coffee shop nearby, just when I needed it badly. My son’s sock chat reminded me of that trip, and a few weeks back my wife texted about a picnic while I was still thinking about cricket. The app had a blanket ready to buy before I even asked. They see every step, chats, rides, orders, and make it feel personal. That’s why buying stays so easy.

Everyone’s After This

Those trips showed me more. Superapps are huge, but not everywhere yet. In China, WeChat runs it all. I paid for tea and a ride without leaving the app. In India last month, I used Paytm to book a movie and snacks for my close friends, all in one go. Here in the West, we’re slow. Amazon’s trying, Meta too, but they’re not there. Will one app win everything or stay different by place? I don’t know. What I see after traveling is people live in these apps, talking, eating, shopping, just like I got those socks and that cricket ball back home. Selling’s not separate anymore. It’s part of life and everyone wants to own it.

Here’s My Advice

So here’s what I think. Superapps are where it’s happening and old websites can’t keep up. If you’re in e-commerce, don’t wait with your own app. Get into these big ones. If you design, make it simple like a chat. No hard steps. If you plan, find where people use apps and stay there. I’ve seen sales change a lot and this is a big one. Trust one app for everything? I would, if it’s fast and safe. It’s worth trying. Move now or you’re left out. (And those socks better help my son’s catch. I’ll find out soon.)

Regards,
Rupesh