Paper short abstract:

This paper explores perspectives related to a national e-commerce delivery system implemented in a developing country context during the pandemic to support formal and informal businesses, with further support for mobile livelihoods.

Paper long abstract:

Mobile delivery of products, particularly restaurant orders to homes and businesses has been an important part of the Caribbean landscape. With the emergence of the pandemic, the formal and informal service sector, and the related mobile livelihoods and transport services faced changes in modes of operation. The sectors had to navigate and respond to the changing environment, restrictions and health protocols including hours of operation (curfews), safety protocols for workers and customers. Further, informal businesses and grey economy workers faced limited interaction with customers. Through partnerships between the Government and private sector, a national e-commerce delivery system was implemented. This paper explores perspectives related to the system in a developing country context in the Caribbean during the pandemic, to support formal and informal businesses, with further support for mobile livelihoods. The responses and interactions are explored in relation to the new digital technologies for informal service providers and mobile livelihoods, navigating the digital app, formal banking and payment systems, and the designation of being an essential worker during the curfew hours. Through a thematic content analysis of available material on the national e-commerce delivery system, stakeholder perspectives and lessons learned are discussed, with implications for well-being and inclusion of stakeholders, and policy recommendations for mobile livelihoods and the grey economy.