In an increasingly digital world, the rise of e-commerce has transformed the way people shop – and Saint Lucia has not been spared. From online fast fashion retailers like Shein and Fashion Nova to global marketplaces like Amazon, local business owners now face the growing challenge of competing with the click of a button.
E-commerce began its global boom in the late 1990s, but its impact on Saint Lucia became especially pronounced over the past decade. With more residents gaining access to credit cards, shipping services and savvy online platforms, the country’s retail landscape has shifted dramatically.
Small businesses that once thrived by importing and reselling goods, particularly clothing and household items, now find themselves struggling against the global online marketplace.
“It used to be enough to get our items from overseas factories and sell them here,” said Anselma, a Castries boutique owner. “Now, people compare my prices to Shein in real time – sometimes while standing in my store.”
For many consumers, affordability trumps loyalty. Fast-fashion retailers offer trendy styles at lower prices, delivered straight to their doorsteps. “Why pay more when you can get the same thing online for less?” is a sentiment echoing loudly, especially among younger shoppers.
This shift has dealt a heavy blow to boutique owners and local designers, whose unique pieces are often undercut by cheaper, mass-produced alternatives. “I show someone a custom piece, and they say, ‘I can get that on Fashion Nova for half the price.’ It’s disheartening,” shared one local designer.
Household items are another casualty. Amazon has become the go-to for everything from curtains to coffee makers. The ripple effect? Once-popular stores like Massy Home, Courts and American Home Decor are feeling the pinch.
“I used to buy all my home items from Courts,” one shopper admitted anonymously. “Now I get everything on Amazon. It’s cheaper, even after shipping. The prices these local businesses are charging are just too ridiculous. And sometimes, the items don’t last.”
Adding to the strain is a recent 10 per cent tariff imposed by President Trump on April 5 that will likely affect goods imported into Saint Lucia. For business owners relying on imported stock, the added cost may be unsustainable. For some, it may be the final nail in the coffin.
Despite these challenges, brick-and-mortar businesses haven’t disappeared, and some are even thriving. Their secret? Convenience and proximity.
“Sometimes people don’t want to wait,” said the owner of a small electronics shop in Castries Boulevard. “You need a phone charger today, not next week. That’s where we still have the edge.”
For many shoppers, the immediacy of walking into a store and leaving with a product is a luxury online shopping can’t yet replicate. Add in the risks of customs delays, damaged items, or unreliable shipping, and local stores still hold value in consumers’ eyes.
Still, the tide is turning. The savviest businesses are adapting by launching online stores, leveraging social media and finding creative ways to compete in an e-commerce-dominated world.
“Some days I sell nothing at all, then I go on Instagram and see my customers posting hauls from Shein.”
— At Home Boutique Owner
“I started offering in-store pickup and same-day delivery to keep up. If I didn’t change, I’d be out of business.”
— Electronics Retailer, Castries
“I can’t compete with Amazon’s prices. But I can give you what they can’t – personal service and a place to return if something goes wrong.”
— Furniture Store Manager, Vieux Fort
As Saint Lucia navigates this digital evolution, the question remains: Will local businesses adapt fast enough to survive, or will convenience and cost continue to tip the scales in favour of global giants?
