With online shopping sites such as amazon.com becoming more in tune with consumer preference and need, it’s no wonder internet shopping is up 40% in the last two years. Yep, it’s pretty magical if you think about it: you get online (in the comfort of your home), shop around a site like amazon, make some purchases and then you wait for the delivery. The next time you sit down to shop, you are presented with a plethora of options that have been data-mined or hypothesized based upon your previous activity. Pretty soon you’re buying things you didn’t even realize you wanted.
Now I’m not an impulse buyer, but technological innovations such as these are tearing up the former retail market. Consumers have unlimited options even with limited time on their hands. We point, we click, we buy and hardly any energy has been spent.
Kansas State professor Esther Swiley believes that e-consumerism will turn into something much like second life. It’s a compelling thought, to be honest. People, again, can remain in the comfort of their home while perusing a world of unlimited options (even shop with their friends).
Now I’m all for technological development, don’t get me wrong. But as we continue to exponentially evolve our technology sector in ways that alleviate traditional “coming and goings” from the store or business environment I think we need to pause and think. Is there a ceiling on how far we will go? Just how much do we enjoy the virtual world versus the interaction that makes us all human? For me, it’s comforting to break away from the mundane screen. It seems that more people are finding the real world to be an escape from the computer world – basing that assumption on the way business is run today.
Wholly speaking I’m all for saving time and the “assisted shopping help.” But really, when is enough, enough? How much farther will we push not only shopping but other every day activities into the digital realm? Will the next generation be socially hindered by our dependency on the computer and the ease of living it brings?
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
I'm fairly certain that eventually all shopping (or essentially all) will be done online. At the rates online shopping is increasing, eventually the cost of operating brick-and-morter storefronts will be prohibitive and companies will only offer goods online. There may be a select few high-end stores who tailor to the "old fashioned" shopping niche by offering storefronts, but these stores will not be price competitive with online merchants.
ReplyDeleteI completely understand why many would believe that all shopping eventually will be done online because shopping on the web has increased so much, but from my personal experience I don't see all shopping being done online. Yes it is a lot easier to shop from home, saves a lot of time and energy, but I personally like trying clothes on. I have bought a few things online and they don't fit. I end up having to pay more money to ship it back after waiting for weeks to receive it. I also think going to the mall is enjoyable for many individuals and they enjoy shopping there more then they do online.
ReplyDeleteI agree that online shopping will become more pervasive, and may even become the predominant form f shopping, but I don't know it all shopping will be done online. For many, shopping is an experience- shopping online cannot replicate the same feeling as being in the store. I think there will always be a solid number of people that choose to shop in brick and mortar stores and will keep atleast some of them in business. Additionally, even though it is more convenient for some to shop online many "online retailers" have been unable to develop a business model to cater to the needs of their customers. The retailers with the most success have operated brick and mortar stores that coordinate with their online outlets. I'm not saying this can't change in the future, although I think it would be extremely difficult to operate a solely web-based format. Webvan is an excellent case study. Webvan was supposed to be the next form of grocery shopping during the dot com bubble. Customers would order everything online and it would be shipped directly to their door. The company went bankrupt in 2001 because it was unable keep its cost down and its margins were to low.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cam in that it is really shocking how far technology has come. I also agree that online shopping has brought a log of convenience to a lot of people. However, I think there is a line that can be drawn between shopping online and creating a second life as a shopper. Personally, I do not particularly mind going to a mall if I have the time to look around. It can be a way to get away from things and get your mind off of different parts of your life. Therefore, I do not think that malls will ever go away simply because they give people somewhere to go to pass time.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I prefer real-life shopping over online shopping. There are certain items that are much easier to buy online (i.e. used books, rare commodities, etc.) but for me, I haven't yet built that sense of trust from online vendors. I often wonder if my credit card information is truly secure, if the item is exactly as it is described and depicted, and whether my item will arrive when I expect it to. Buying a product within a store eliminates all those worries because of the sense of immediateness and tangibility you get from the item being physically there. The fact that I can hold something or try on clothes/shoes is much more reassuring to me than having only a digital photograph of the item. I think that e-commerce will undoubtedly increase in usage but I don't believe it will completely eliminate the use of traditional shopping spaces. I would imagine that a lot of consumers would share the same concerns as mine.
ReplyDeleteI prefer real-life shopping over online shopping as well. The only time I buy clothes online is when they are from a store that I have bought from many times before and know how their sizing works. Otherwise, you can get stuck with something that doesn't fit and you have to go through the hassle of sending it back. There have also been several times when an item looks one way online and totally different when it arrives at your house. I think most people find online shopping to be more convenient, but I don't think real-life shopping will ever be totally eliminated for the reasons listed above. There are just some things that you have to see in person before you spend you money on it.
ReplyDeleteI'm actually partial to both real-life and online shopping. I don't think malls will ever go away (despite Southpoint developers recently going bankrupt). I like knowing that both options are available because if I can't find something in a store then I can just order it online! I agree with Ellison that unless I know the store well and know how the clothes fit, I don't usually like purchasing clothes online. However, sometimes that's my only choice. One thing that I am always trying to find on the internet is the discontinued pieces to my Vera Bradley luggage collection. You can't find them in any store so my only option is eBay. Same thing goes for my favorite perfume that I can't find in any store sadly. I also love purchasing movie tickets, concert tickets, flights, music on itunes and books on amazon.com. I haven't tried the Harris Teeter "order online and pick up in an hour" deal, but I definitely want to try it. Who wouldn't want someone to go ahead and do your grocery shopping for you? That would save a solid 30 minutes! More than anything the internet is great for those days when you're too lazy to go out and go shopping or when you don't have the spare time to spend your afternoon at the mall. I just hope that the convenience factor doesn't end up eliminating social interaction all together. Socializing with others is extremely important and if you only use the web and never go outside your home for anything well then we might have a problem. But until then, keep shopping online!
ReplyDeleteSomething else that is interesting to consider would be the time it actually takes to receive the items purchased. Many individuals need items immediately - for a birthday party later that night or a funeral, etc. Unless the current post office system becomes more efficient, it is hard to get these items immediately. I can foresee ordering items online before picking them up to save time, but ultimately, I am not sure how to replace the instant gratification aspect of shopping. Does anyone else have any suggestions?
ReplyDeleteI personally prefer shopping online. I like knowing that when I spend my money on something I've weighed it against virtually all other purchasing options. In the store, I am likely settling for whatever color or product happens to be in stock. Online, however, I can almost always find the size I need. As far as fit goes, returns of mail-order clothes are really not that big of a hassle.
ReplyDeleteI really don't think future generations will be socially hindered by a dependence on the computer. Things like facebook, and other social media, have proven to be complimentary to social interaction, not a replacement for it. The same goes for online commerce in my opinion.
It is definitely shocking how technology has impacted shopping, but I find it hard to envision a day when all forms of shopping are done online. Certain goods, such as groceries, are bought when needed immediately. From my knowledge, the shipping and handling process associated with online purchases currently do not make this form of shopping feasible. When you need a gallon of milk, it would be easier to get on a computer and click what type you need. But is it worth the wait for the milk and the S&H fee associated with this product even though the grocery store is less than a mile away?
ReplyDeletei have to agree that it is difficult to believe that online shopping will ever fully replace bricks and mortar stores. As others have pointed out, there are many stores and shops that provide goods that aren't worth waiting on them to be shipped, such as groceries. It also seems that clothing will always be something that people prefer to purchase in a real store. However, I do think we may see a decrease in the number of stores and how much inventory they carry as the ability to try in the store and buy online increases. Perhaps we may see a day where 'stores' exist solely to demo products, and purchases are only made online.
ReplyDeleteI think most people agree that all forms of shopping cannot be done online, but there is an increasing trend of increased online shopping. I really don't know when to draw the line of when enough is enough except when online shopping becomes an addiction. It takes away a lot of what is necessary in life which is basic social skills. Human interaction is essential for basic things such as holding a conversation. When these things are taken away from, then this is when online shopping actually becomes a problem. Other than that it is a great tool for making things just easier.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI am so torn on this topic - I do EVERYTHING online. I actually found myself saying the other day that it's such a pain when someone writes me a check...because then I actually have to GO to the bank to cash it. How ridiculous is that? It's almost scary that I could potentially live the rest of my life without leaving my home, I wouldn't be surprised if the wide range of things available on the Internet has made people more reclusive in recent years. I see the Internet hindering my social life already - whereas I used to go shopping with friends on daytime outings, now I sit home and shop on my computer. I rarely if ever go to malls, shopping centers, etc. Because there are so many things that can be done online, people spend more time than ever on their computers doing those tasks instead of getting out of the house and interacting with humans while accomplishing them. I really do think it is dangerous for the social lives of people to have this opportunity to minimize social interaction so drastically.
ReplyDeleteI don't believe that with our dependency on technologies the next generation will be socially hindered. Think of all the new ways people are able to keep in touch with old friends that would have been impossible to just a decade ago. And I don't think online shopping will ever truly replace actual shopping. Writing from personal experiences, I used to shop all the time from eBay, but in buying clothes, it is a gamble to buy something that you haven't tried on. After wasting lots of money buying clothes that looked cute in pictures, I learned that trying on clothes is a necessity. And even on those sites that tell you their sizes, I am too lazy to go and actally measure myself (if I can even find measuring tape). Also, for me, I still need and crave social interaction. And I feel that it is a basic human need. Looking at Glaslow's pyramid of needs, to reach self actualization, it is built upon being loved by others.
ReplyDeleteI don’t think online shopping is something that will lead to people completely isolating themselves. I see it as a convenient way to buy something you don’t have the time or need to go to the store for. I don’t think it will ever replace traditional shopping. If you think about it, there are so many shops, malls, and shopping centers that people use as a social area as well as a way to unwind after a long week of work. It is impossible to get rid of all these malls just because some people prefer making a few clicks to buy some things like books online.
ReplyDeleteSimilar to the above posts, I do not believe online shopping will ever fully replace brick and mortar shopping experiences. I know many people participate in these brick and mortar experiences as a form of social interaction. My mother and I (or grandmother and I) will often go to the mall to browse the stores, possibly make a few purchases, but more importantly to spend time with each other because we share similar shopping interests. Likewise, many brick and mortar stores simply can not be replaced. When in an emergency situation or last minute dilemma, a consumer can not wait for an item to be shipped from a store's manufacturing warehouse hundreds, if not thousands, of miles away. Many people may choose to participate in online shopping and I agree many aspects of online shopping are incredibly appealing; however, it is impossible to think such activities will completely replace traditional shopping experiences.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree with some of my classmates that shopping will never be 100 percent an online experience. I hate buying clothes online and I admit that I do enjoy the shopping experience. Additionally, believe it or not, I think shopping at the mall or a physical store actually saves me time. When I shop online, I have to visit various sites and learn to use different interfaces. I can't see how clothes look on my body and I'm not really sure which size to order. When I go shopping in a brick and mortar store, I know whether or not I want to purchase something as soon as I put it on and look in the mirror. I also have it in my hand at that instant and can wear it out the same day if I like. The Internet might provide excellent avenues for shopping for electronics, music, books and other products, but for personal products such as clothes, shoes and cosmetics that are based 100% on personal taste, the in-person experience is vital.
ReplyDeleteI personally have never shopped online. For one, I enjoy the opportunity to go out and spend time with my friends or my parents when I'm shopping. I think e-commerce takes away from the social aspect of shopping and is yet another way technology has contributed to a decrease in face-to-face interactions. On the other hand, I do see how many people can find it convenient in certain situations when they know exactly what they want but can't find it close by. Plus, today's soceity is very much characterzied by a "get it now" kind of attitude. Ordering online can get products to consumers faster in some instances. While there may be benefits to online shopping, I do think too many people value the social aspect of it. As a result, I don't think it will ever fully replace "brick and mortar" shopping. It has been years and I still have yet to become an online shopper. 1) I am way too picky about trying things on before I buy them. 2) I still don't trust putting credit card information on the internet unless I absolutely have to.
ReplyDeleteMolly, I could not agree with you more. I never realized how dependent my life was on the internet until my phone was broken and so was my house's wireless. The first 10 minutes of my day consist of time on the internet- I check my email, my facebook, the weather, my bank account, sometimes grades, pay my bills, etc. Like Molly said, it is a pain to have to actually go into the bank when we have online banking. Or the other day I had to mail my rent check and I was telling my roommates, "ugh I wish I could just transfer her the money online!" That is ridiculous to think that we have these thoughts so much. I agree with the fact that this massive dependence on the internet is only going to continue to grow and hurt our social skills more and more. The example of online shopping is significant because I remember growing up that was how the girls of the family bonded. However, now I'll just email my mom different links of clothes I like instead of getting out of the house and walking around the mall together. It's one of those things it is actually quite sad but we don't realize the harm in it until we sit back and actually think about the long term effects e-consumerism could have on our everyday lives. Also regarding what Olivia said about never shopping online, I think there are definite benefits as to why I personally participate in this phenomenon. You can shop 24-7, just like anything online you can do it at your own leisure because the internet never closes. Also, it makes sense that there would be deals and bargains easier found online because there have to be perks since you have to pay for shipping. Another reason, are some stores like Victoria's Secret only has their clothing line through the catalog or internet, not in the store. On the other hand, there are some things that I definitely wouldn't buy without going into the store like shoes for instance. Certain things I think its not worth ordering without actually being able to try on. The concept of online shopping is an interesting phenomenon and I wonder where it is headed next?
ReplyDeleteIt's amazing that how much we can do, like someone already said, buy concert tickets, movie tickets, anything- you name it. What is the next step for e-consumerism? As for the question of when e-consumerism is going too far, I think that is something that is more of a case to case basis. It has gone too far when someone does not leave the computer throughout a day and would not be able to do anything without their computer...we all depend on the internet but 100 percent dependence is definitely detrimental to our health and society as a whole!
I think e-consumerism is fine. It makes transactions more efficient and it allows consumers to be fully informed when making a decision to purchase. I wasn't a rockstar at econ but I seem to remember that having information is crucial to making the "right" decision in an economic perspective. You have to be able to weigh costs and benefits. The internet and e-commerce allows shoppers to investigate before they support any particular business with a purchase. As far as turning us all in to recluses, I don't think that will happen. I think interpersonal contact is crucial to our happiness as humans and that will not change no matter how many great ways to buy a pair of shoes or a new dress there are on the internet (we still want people to see us wearing them.)
ReplyDelete