RSS Feed
Write now
Print
Invite a writer™
Add to Favorites
Contact this writerHas the Internet Changed the Shopping Experience for the Better?
There was a time when going shopping meant a mini-vacation of sorts. Malls, Specialty shops and Novelty stores proved to be full of colorful excitement. You never knew what you were about to encounter or what treasure you might soon discover. The enticing aroma, fabulous textures, and the bright lights were enough to satisfy the most discerning shopper's pallet. At least until the next time, the compulsion arose to venture out for the hunt.
Then came the wonderful Internet! With the stroke of a key, you were transported to an array of sites. High fashion, wholesale, Ebay and any Mall storefront that you would find in the most extravagant cities. But, not just any store mind you, an e-commerce store that was as intoxicating as it was unique. A new world has been born. An extremely "Jetson" shopping experience was invented, one easy to maneuver and one that allowed transactions to be even simpler to complete. In a click of a mouse, you could come up with a whole new wardrobe and just as easily apply your discounts or any special requests you may have. How easy? Just take a look at your shopping cart. Online sites are created with you, the trendy shopper, in mind. Big money has gone into putting together the highest quality, the simplest steps and the safest environment in order to make any transaction feel like an ultimate pleasure.
A shopper's dream come true? But, of course, as the statistics rise, it's becoming quite clear, that more consumers are preferring this mode of purchasing. No more long lines, no more rude sales clerks, no more hours wasted and best of all? A parking spot has now become a distant memory. Could it get any better? Yes! Fancy handmade sweaters that are only made in England? Poof, it's yours! How about Swiss Chocolate, made in, get ready... Switzerland! Just type in the quantity, please, and it's on it's way. Fantasy and reality intertwined, all wrapped up in a lovely fed-ex package, waiting patiently at your front door for you to arrive.
Groceries can be planned for with care, customized to your family's needs and made ready to deliver in a blink of an eye. Your loved ones are now able to prioritize schedules and events, without the sometimes unnecessary hassle of trudging into the neighborhood grocery store. This is especially invaluable during the often chaotic holiday seasons. A blessing of sorts, and may soon be taken for granted.
The Internet has changed the world. Enormously. Brick and Mortar stores can still hold a nostalgic feel and provide you with endless opportunities to see, feel and hold your selected merchandise. But, the Internet miraculously brings the world to your fingertips. It's an amazing era we're now experiencing. One that conjures up extravagant images. And, just imagine, this is only the beginning.
Top "Yes" articles on:
Will online storefronts wipe out brick-and-mortar businesses?Add your voice
Know something about Will online storefronts wipe out brick-and-mortar businesses?? We want to hear your view. Write now!
The internet has dramatically changed the way that retailers do business, but it seems that early fears that the internet would kill retail stores was an unfounded fear. The stores that have had difficulty competing are those that failed to adapt. Here is a fun exercise; walk into any retail store and ask them what their web address is. You will find that almost every one has a website where they advertise their services, and many (if not most) will actually be able to take orders over the internet. Conversely, you can send an e-mail to almost any internet store and ask them where their retail location is, and they will have one or more retail stores, where you can walk in and shop.
Everyone from the big box stores (office Max,WalMart, Sams Club etc.) to Pizza Delivery, and mom and pop toy stores are selling on the web. I personally work in the Bicycle industry where there was a large outcry that internet shopping would put the shops out of business and that people would no longer have a place to go get their bikes fixed. While the dynamics of the industry have changed, the shops are still there and still fixing bikes.
So what has changed. Almost every shop I know of is selling online. If they don't have a well designed online store with a large inventory, they at a minimum have one guy sitting in back hawking stuff on e-bay. The internet business gives them enough volume to stay competitive with the online retailers on the high end, and on the low end, there is no way that an online store can compete with a retail store. For low dollar parts, the shipping charges quickly eat up and savings that you may have had on the product. So the average person who wants a $10 part and wants it put on for them will go to the retail store.
The other thing that has changed is the service fees. Often if you buy parts at retail the mechanic will put it on for free or at discount. If you come into the store with parts you purchased online, you will find that you will pay full boat on the labor.
The biggest issue that local retailers face is the people who come in just to touch and feel products they intend to buy online. Things like shoes are difficult to purchase online because size is so difficult. So if a local retail stocks a shoe that is available at a discount online, they may have trouble getting rid of stock, but will have a lot of people trying on the shoes. Despite this concern, it seems that most people once they have the shoe, or other product in had, will go ahead and buy it so that they can have and use it immediately.
In short while the internet has changed the way you do business, local stores still have the following advantages.
1. Allow people to touch and feel product which alleviates quality and size concerns.
2. Service
3. Rapid delivery.
4. No shipping charges on low dollar and heavy items
5. Local stores can also compete in the internet market.
So sorry to all the folks who think the internet is going to take over the world. The retail shops are here to stay.
Top "No" articles on:
Will online storefronts wipe out brick-and-mortar businesses?Add your voice
Know something about Will online storefronts wipe out brick-and-mortar businesses?? We want to hear your view. Write now!
Difference of opinion? Debate now.
- Advertising
- Should American business ethics change when dealing at the global level?
- Are business ethics or profits more important?
- Are employee-owned companies more successful than traditional businesses?
- Has the prevalence of false ads led people to become jaded?
- Can ethics overcome greed in the 21st century?
