I found this weeks’ discussion on e-commerce really interesting. The Internet has changed nearly every aspect of the retail experience for both the retailer and the consumer. While I don’t feel that the Internet will ever negate the need for brick and mortar locations, the trend is certainly toward e-commerce.
Over the past year, I’ve relied heavily on Amazon.com for everything from textbooks to camera equipment to things for my apartment. I find that I’m attracted to the customer reviews and ratings features, which could never be duplicated in a face-to-face setting. I think that for purchasing certain items, especially tech products, the ability to view detailed product specifications alongside customer reviews is hands down a better way to shop than heading to Best Buy or even a camera store and trying to figure out what’s the right product for you. For clothes and other things that need to be sampled or tried on, I think it’s another story. While the Intellifit and other related technologies are really interesting and impressive, I doubt it will ever take the place of going to the mall and trying on jeans. In my opinion, online shopping is hugely beneficial to consumers as they can shop around, avoid salesperson pressure and save time and money. In my exprerience, customer service is paramount to online retailers and forces them to do an amazing job compared to return counters or call lines. What are your thoughts and experiences with online shopping? What kinds of products do you see yourself continually buying online or in retail locations?
One thing that stood out in my mind during our class discussion was my use of Sephora.com. Sephora is a makeup and skincare retailer that has stores in many malls and even in some department stores. I started buying products from Sephora.com because there was no Sephora store in Asheville, where I’m from. I’ve continued shopping there even since moving to school here, where there’s a brick and mortar location a few mile away, because they have e-mail marketing down to an absolute art. I find myself going to the store to browse and test products then ordering them online where I often get free shipping, samples and free gifts. It’s the best of both worlds for me, but may not be sustainable for the company as the Southpoint location is not receiving my business even though I’m purchasing products in the end. Has anyone else had a similar experience where they shopped for products at a brick and mortar store with no intention to purchase anywhere but online? How do you think businesses can best capitalize on customers like me who want the hands-on shopping experience but always look for online bargains?
In one of my Entrepeneurship classes, we did a case study on Netflix. It is incredibly interesting to read about the development of a company that found the opportunity in online shopping and completely opted out of any physical store locations. While it was revolutionary and hugely successful at the time, even Netflix is losing business to even more convenient services like Redbox and iTunes, not to mention illegal downloading/streaming websites. What do you think the future holds for retail? Do you think we’ll still have stores like Best Buy? Internet retailing seems like an amazing way to minimize overhead costs and pass the savings on to customers, but are you concerned about the potential decline of the social shopping experience?
One important aspect of e-commerce that I think is most impressive is the rise of tiny independent businesses that are so specialized they could never survive in a single bricks and mortar location. Sites like craigslist and eBay allow peer-to-peer sales of useful goods and services available in close proximity or only a shipment away. You can generally find something to suit your needs and budget without leaving your home. Other sites such as etsy.com allow artists to support themselves by displaying their goods in a huge, international online marketplace where they have the best chance of reaching customers. How do you think e-commerce provides opportunities for small businesses and entrepreneurs? Have you personally witnessed any examples?
I've also had my personal shopping trend heading in the direction of e-commerce. As someone who despises the mall, I embrace the online shopping world. Not only do I not have to leave the comfort of my bedroom, but it's also a good way to get feedback from friends and family on certain products. My sister and I are currently bouncing ideas off of each other for a birthday gift for our mom, which is a pretty cool situation if you think about it since she(sister) is in Washington, DC (probably at work, too). Just by sending each other links back and forth through gchat, we're able to narrow down our ideas and agree upon something. This couldn't be made possible without e-commerce. Since we have a pretty good idea of our mom's likes and dislikes, it's a pretty easy task, unlike the struggle that is going to the mall, finding the appropriate stores, and scanning each store for items, feeling like an alien in a new foreign world.
ReplyDeleteI also avoid typical brick-and-mortar stores to reap the benefits of online deals, because most companies will send coupons following a purchase, something that can be contagious, so it works.
It's a great way for small businesses and entrepreneurs to put their names on the map. By testing the waters of the Internet, you're introducing your business to the global stage, like it or not. These small businesses as well as artists can now have a much higher reach than would have been possible through traditional stores with no online presence. My only concern is the decline of experimentation and exchanging of ideas between humans as a society. While this is a very theoretical, long-term, problem, that I’m suggesting, I think it has some truth to it: with a heavier reliance on custom tailored marketing and online shopping, people are presenting themselves with another level of disconnect between one another; not just because of the loss of human to human interaction, but the simple fact that we will let online retailers determine for us who we are as people, leaving us unable to see the world through any other lens than the one “prescribed” to us by e-marketers.
First of all, I am a little behind the times and do not really do a lot of shopping online (and do not do a lot of shopping in general). However, I do see Internet shopping as a sustainable business because it is so much more convenient to people who do not have the time to drive to the mall, deal with traffic and have to wait in lines. As for electronics stores like Best Buy, I believe that there will always be demand for these stores because people like being able to see these things in person (for instance, how much clearer a high definition television is compared to a normal television). However, I do think that there will have to be consolidation in this industry since people tend to trust stores like Best Buy much more than they do a mom-and-pop electronics store.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily that buying technological gadgets online is easier because you have a greater selection to choose from (versus the limited selection in the actual store displays). However, I find myself questioning a lot of online customer reviews, which are not usually written by experts. For example, I've been recently shopping online for a printer and the reviews that I have read ranged from the one to five star ratings so I still haven't made a decision. Because of the anonymity of the Internet, it is entirely possible that those 5-star reviews were written by employees of the company of that specific product as a means to market/promote. On the other hand, a person is more likely to contribute a customer rating if they are unsatisfied with the product as a means to complain (similar to how students with negative experiences with a professor will more likely contribute a rating on pick-a-prof.com). I almost prefer those persistent salespeople to guide me in my in-store shopping experience to make a decision.
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Emily that buying cameras and other technological items is easier online and there's typically a wider selection available than in the stores. I do like the ratings system but I must say those can be rather hit or miss because I trusted the ratings when I bought my video camera; however, I don't think it's as trustworthy or up the standard that people have rated it online. Don't get me wrong, I like it. But it's supposed to function as a camera and video recorder and it takes awful pictures. The problem with online purchasing gadgets like that is the ability to return the products. You're dealing with expensive items so the process of returning them is slightly more complicated sometimes than just returning clothes. Plus, you have to pay shipping charges and that's never fun. Sometimes going into the store and talking with the sales associate is important because they can explain how the product works and if there are any complaints about it. Yes, they could lie I suppose and tell you a product is great even it it's terrible but I feel like you could sense if they're lying or not. There are some things you just have to buy in the store and others you can purchase online. It all depends on the consumer and their needs and what makes them the most comfortable when making a purchase.
ReplyDeleteAs the author stated, e-commerce is a great strategy for small startup businesses to develop a competitive advantage by reducing overhead costs. One example of a company using online retail is Ticketmaster. Ticketmaster runs much of its operations online because it provides convenience for all parties involved. Without the Internet, Ticketmaster would have to open offices around the country while consumers would have to visit their offices to purchase tickets.
ReplyDeletei really like that emily brought up the balance between the advantages of being able to physically see a product in a store and being able to find it for a better price online. I find myself doing this all the time, especially in the realm of electronics. I purchased a new iPod roughly a year ago and went to the store to check it out and mess around with the interface and make sure it was something I wanted to buy. But after I'd made up my mind that I liked it, I started trolling ebay to make sure I could get the best deal possible. This is a very interesting split, as it creates a need for both nearby stores with tangible goods and online stores that can offer superior pricing
ReplyDeleteCompanies such as Best Buy will never die due to online shopping. I know that when I shop I like to physically see the product before I purchase it. You don't get that with online shopping unless you buy it. There will be a balance established between online shopping and actually going to stores. There won't be a situation where one takes over the other because there are also economic implications that come with not having retail sellers.
ReplyDeleteI think one important downfall of online shopping that we haven't really discussed here is the reliability issue. I think the fact that this hasn't really been brought up in this conversation is indicative of our trust in online shopping. I know that I don't think twice about giving out my credit card information online when I'm shopping as long as it has that little paypal symbol or it is a well known vendor. But, how safe is it? I know I hear stories from time to time of people losing their credit identity but that still has no effect on the amount of shopping I do online. However, it is interesting about how other generations interact with online shopping, becuase my mother absolutely refuses to order anything online because she doesn't trust the internet enough to give out information, and yet our generation is probably the reason that e-commerce is booming right now.
ReplyDeleteFor me, I enjoy online shopping and at location. What I've found is similar to what you posted: I prefer to buy tech based items online where I can read reviews and clothes in person. Part of shopping on location is that it can be a social experience and a break from life. I don't shop online too often, but I've used Half.com for the entirety of my undergrad years and it's saved me hundreds of dollars over the years. I guess it's about picking and choosing what gives you the best return when looking at e-commerce and on site shopping.
ReplyDeletePart of what limits my shopping online is sharing my information. I've gotten tired of hearing how large companies have \had their credit card records breached and that has helped me limit my online shopping needs to where the company/experience is entirely justified and has a clean record.
What I found most interesting about your post was the final paragraph. I am a fan of the small business and the internet helps specialty stores survive. Only having a single location limits access to customers as well as the fact that that region may not have enough demand to justify business. The internet does allow for expansion without becoming a large e-commerce company and I find that fantastic.
Etsy.com is incredibly interesting. I tend to go there to try to find gifts for people, because I'd rather give someone something that is slightly more unique. The conglomeration of small stores gives great opportunities to people who probably couldn't afford or aren't making enough product to justify having an actual store. The site also gives so much more exposure than that one store could possibly get. It also creates a community where artists share ideas. I think etsy.com is the epitome of what e-commerce can do for small scale producers.
ReplyDeleteRecently, I've done a lot of online shopping on sierratradingpost.com. Sierra Trading Post offers a lot of clothing and outdoor merchandise at steep discounts. I think discount shopping is one of the fastest growing segments in online retail and will continue to be so because it provides discount shoppers with a convenient shopping tool.
ReplyDeleteI also agree that the internet helps small business owners succeed. It enables vendors with a unique craft to be successful, even if they are in small markets.
Online shopping is easy and simple if you are willing to wait for a product. It has been particularly interesting to see how many different industries have adapted their businesses to accommodate services the internet offers. The theory that people will simply not go to the mall if everything can be done online is simply wrong. They said that people would stop going to football games when networks started putting them on television too.
ReplyDeleteI honestly can't think of a single item that I need and could not purchase online and have delivered to my doorstep. Even groceries can be delivered these days. Part of me wants to embrace this newfound convenience, but I also find it disturbing that people spend so little time out running errands and socializing with people around town because they don't even need to leave their houses to get the goods that they need. What will this do for our social capabilities and our mental capacities? So much of what we learn in life comes from interpersonal interaction, it's scary to think that we actually don't NEED to interact anymore.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Emily's take on online shopping - I look for equipment, apartment stuff, etc online but I'll almost never buy clothes online. My major reason for that is because usually there are better deals online for electronics, etc but I wouldn't sacrifice that for an ill-fitting garment. I will, however, browse on urbanoutfitters.com but then wait till I can go to the store to buy it. I think that's an interesting new development in retail - even if people can't drive out to your store, they can still browse and pick out things to buy at the actual store. Seems like a great way to market your products and still get people coming in to the store.
ReplyDeleteI have never got involved in this online shopping craze, but after reading many of the opinions of my classmates it makes sense to buy certain things online like an ipod, camera, etc, because you don't have to try it on and you know exactly want you want, but I still don't see why its so much better. If there is an apple store in your area why wouldn't you want to go buy it and have it in your hand the same day. Also when you buy things online you take the chance of it getting lost in the mail or it breaking in the mail. My roommate ordered her Macbook on apple.com and got a free printer/scanner with it. When it was delivered the glass to scan on the printer was shattered. In the end she had to drive to the apple store to exchange it. In the end it didn't save her time or money and she would have been better off just going their in the first place.
ReplyDeleteI don't think online shopping is all that great and no matter how great it can get people will continue to go to stores because they like to get out of the house, socialize, and see the item in person.
Similar to Ashley, I use online browsing as a tool for various clothes but do usually purchase clothes online. Many stores offer return/exchange policies via the mail; however, these are often a huge hassle. While, I do not regularly purchase clothing online I have often used online shopping websites as a significant timesaver. If I am looking for a specific item I do not want to take the time to drive to multiple 'brick and mortar' locations, waste gas, time and energy. Instead I can simply browse the internet, find my product, call the closest store to check availability and make one stop in my car. I do agree that electronics, toys, equipment and other such items are often offered at discounted rates online and thus often worth the risk of mailing errors.
ReplyDeleteI think you bring up excellent points, I have always wondered how blockbuster would stay afloat, especially with the rising uses of redbox. I don't think I have even stepped foot into a blockbuster in over a year, because why spend 5 dollars to rent a movie for a couple of days when i can spend one dollar to watch it once, which is enough for me? I think retail will still have its place in society, people will always have the want and the need to try things on before buying, because with online shopping, shipping becomes a factor, and I never want to be shipping the items I bought back because most of the time I would be losing money.
ReplyDeleteI think e-commerce has opened doors to small businesses that are online and physical places. My cousin has opened up a retail business on eBay that has allowed her to get into the business of fashion that she has always wanted, and keep her corporate day job. The internet allowed her to create a small successful business that she would not have been able to launch while she is still working for a corporation. However, I do not think that e-commerce will take over the business of physical places. The internet offers a myriad of things to shop for, but I will never be deferred from the small boutiques where I love to treat myself to a prize item of clothing. That is an experience that cannot be replaced by e-commerce.
ReplyDeleteE-commerce expands our shopping options but it brings both positive and negative consequences to the planet. The increased amount of shipping and transportation of goods across the country uses a lot of fuel. However, it also encourages people to resell old items rather than throwing them away. I think that craigslist is one of the best examples of e-commerce because it keeps re-sales in a local area. If people do not drive as far for these new items, the process will be a lot more eco-friendly. It seems crazy to buy a new camera from across the country if it is a dollar less, when you could just buy one 5 miles from your house for a little more.
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