compare and contrast essay online shopping vs traditional shopping

Traditional vs. Online Shopping Essay

Introduction.

Shopping constitutes a compulsory function for humans in all walks of life. For a majority of people, shopping is an activity that has transcended from being merely a necessity to one that has become a favorite pastime that brings happiness, recreation, and ‘quality time with friends and members of the family. There are basically 3 kinds of shopping where we buy things we require, things we convince ourselves we require, and things we look at (window shopping) just for pleasure. In the modern world of today, it is possible to indulge in all 3 kinds of shopping by utilizing 2 methods: Traditional shopping and ‘Online’ shopping.

Traditional shopping involves shoppers physically entering a brick-and-mortar store or shopping mall to select items of their choice, pay for them in cash or by credit card, and either take delivery personally or have them delivered to their homes by the retailer. ‘Online shopping is a relatively new method of shopping that involves the shopper sitting in front of a Personal Computer at any location (it could be at home, in the office, in friends’ apartments or in internet cafes), browsing through different categories of products at selected websites either alone or with the assistance of family members and/or friends, choosing items, paying for the purchases by credit card or by electronically transferring money from a bank account (from personal experience, I have noticed there is usually no other payment option).

The selected goods are delivered within a period ranging from a day to a week or even longer. In almost all cases, due to the fact that while selecting an item its availability is also clearly mentioned, the entire selection is delivered; if for some unforeseen reason some items are not delivered, then the value of those items is refunded to the customer by the ‘Online’ seller.

Traditional and ‘Online’ shopping are similar in two ways. Firstly, both forms of shopping follow the general concept of commerce; in both cases, there is a buyer and a seller, both of whom share a specific understanding of how the commercial transaction is expected to unfold, run its course and reach its satisfactory conclusion. Secondly, the prominent method of payment in both forms of shopping is credit card payment; although traditional shoppers can opt for check or cash payment, and although ‘Online’ shoppers can opt for electronic transfer of funds from their bank accounts, credit card purchases are preferred in both cases.

Traditional and ‘Online’ shopping is different in several ways. In one group of differences, Traditional shopping holds ‘absolute’ superiority: Firstly, shoppers experience the physical thrill of shopping. Shopping is commonly seen as a way of unwinding after a hard day’s work, or (especially in the case of housewives), escaping from the monotonous routine of everyday life (cooking, cleaning, and looking after the kids). Then there is festival shopping, which usually involves the entire family shopping for decorations and gifts for such occasions as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving (personally, I have several fond memories of this).

Secondly, Traditional shoppers are brought face-to-face with an item that they can touch, feel and examine at close proximity – this goes a long way towards making up their mind to buy it. Thirdly, Traditional shoppers are able to talk with the salespersons or merchants of the store or mall upfront, and freely seek clarification or additional information about products that interest them. Fourthly, Traditional shoppers are able to bargain and obtain a better price for their purchases.

Although people in the United States do not usually engage in energetic bargaining, there are people of several other international cultures (such as Italians, Greeks, and Indians), to whom bargaining forms the essence of the shopping experience, and without which they would end up with the uncomfortable feeling of being cheated. Fifthly, Traditional shoppers are able to judge the merchant’s reputation (and by association, the products being sold in that store) by interacting with other customers. Sixthly, Traditional shoppers are able to take home their purchases immediately, or at the most have them delivered to their homes on the same or the next day.

They, therefore, save time as do not have to wait for days or weeks to receive their purchases as is the usual case in ‘Online’ shopping (there is also the distinct possibility of some items not being ultimately delivered due to some reason such as shortages caused due to improper inventory management). Lastly, almost everyone is well aware that today’s world is blemished by an increasing number of cybercrimes.

These have grown at an alarming rate with increasingly ingenious methods being adopted by computer-savvy criminals. A very large number of innocent people have been, and are being fleeced of their hard-earned money over the Internet – their only crime being that they had to give their personal and bank details while shopping online. On the other hand, Traditional shoppers do not need to give their names, address, and (most importantly) bank account information which are all ‘must-do’s in the case of ‘Online’ shopping.

In the second group of differences, ‘Online’ shopping holds the ‘absolute’ superiority. The first difference involves selection. ‘Online shoppers can browse through a wide selection of products from different retailers and place a single order involving products from different retailers, rather than otherwise embark on the tedious exercise of visiting several stores or malls physically to pick up a few items here and a few items there.

Secondly, ‘Online’ shoppers are benefited by a significant reduction in prices as ‘Online’ sellers have vastly reduced overheads to contend with (especially store/mall rent/maintenance and salaries/perks for salespersons) and are able to comfortably pass on a sizeable part of this benefit to customers in the form of reduced prices for the products sold. Lastly, ‘Online’ shoppers have the luxury of doing their shopping at leisure from the comfort of their home, without having to drive to far-away shopping destinations and being traumatized by rash drivers and difficult car parking situations.

In the third group of differences, both types of shopping score nearly equal points. The first difference involves the time element. In Traditional shopping, customers save time as don’t have to wait for days or weeks to receive their purchases. ‘Online’ shoppers choose the time and place to shop, thus saving valuable time and problems associated with traveling to and from the store.

Secondly, while admitting that the ‘sight and touch’ factor is important, ‘Online’ shoppers find it is irrelevant in the case of items like computers, consumer electronic items, cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry, where ‘Online’ specifications are clear-cut, very detailed and imminently satisfactory. Lastly, while Traditional shoppers can get clarification and further information about a product from the salesperson or merchant, ‘Online’ shoppers have access to clarifying the information in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and ‘Online’ customer service for the products they intend to purchase.

From a fair and impartial judgment of both cases, it is my contention that Traditional shopping is definitely better than ‘Online’ shopping simply because the comparative number and weight of its advantages vis-à-vis ‘Online shopping is much more significant as compared to ‘Online’ shopping own unique advantages. As a result, while agreeing that ‘Online’ shopping continues to grow in the United States, it will not overtake Traditional shopping mainly because of the two greatest ‘arrows in the quiver’ of the latter – Firstly, it involves the formidably unique ‘sight and touches’ advantage that Traditional shoppers enjoy.

And secondly, it gives people an opportunity to mingle with others, interact with acquaintances, friends, and relatives and spend ‘quality time with them – in our increasingly busy and modern world of today comprising people increasingly cocooned in their own lives and problems, this pleasurable human interaction afforded by Traditional shopping is literally priceless.

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Compare and Contrast: Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping

Comparison point: costs, comparison point: immediacy, comparison point: tangibility, comparison point: convenience, conclusions.

Historically, traditional shopping practices dominated the field of selling and purchasing goods and services. If anyone needed to buy a new pair of shoes, a new dress, or even a new house appliance, they would go to the market, or visit a dedicated store, to make a purchase. While a rewarding experience, it was time-consuming as well as region-locked, with customers from rural areas having to travel great distances to purchase even the most basic of goods (Markham, 2016). Smaller companies, incapable of exporting their items abroad, were naturally oriented towards domestic clients. The 21st century saw the development of the Internet as well as the globalization of the supply chain, enabling sellers and customers to engage in online shopping from the comfort of their homes (Markham, 2016). Although the two premises share some basic traits attributed to shopping, the processes are inherently different one from another, making them suited for different types of purchase.

Traditional shopping is associated with a plethora of costs for the sellers as well as for the clients. A brick-and-mortar store would need to be built or placed inside of an existing structure, which is expensive. Warehousing and regular supplying also add to the costs of operation and maintenance. Finally, traditional stores have to afford to pay shopkeepers, consultants, janitors, and other support personnel. All of these expenditures increase the costs of final purchase for the end customer (Markham, 2016). Online shops do not have to face such issues. The only costs they have to endure are warehousing and good transportation from the seller to client, without having to worry about structural maintenance, paying sellers and supports, and dealing with numerous other issues that brick-and-mortar shops face (Markham, 2016). Because of these factors, buying online is typically much cheaper than doing so in a store.

One strong advantage traditional shopping has over online purchasing is the immediacy of purchase. The client can buy the item or service they need from a retailer and use it immediately, without any lag or waiting time (Markham, 2016). Online shopping, due to the nature of their business model, cannot offer the same. Usually it takes between one day to several months before the product reaches the end customer, the conditions depending on where is it purchased from and what company is handling the deliveries (Markham, 2016). Such waiting times can be too much for some customers to accept, as the items they need are often required immediately. An example of products that require immediacy include foodstuffs that have short shelf lives. Although online purchasing of foods exists, it is dominated by cooked food deliveries, whereas most customers buy their food products from traditional shops.

Another strong suit of traditional marketing is the ability to see and feel the item a person is buying. In case with clothes, the customer can try it on to see if it fits their body complexion. Online marketing cannot offer such an advantage, and has to rely on pictures, videos, and numbers in order to accurately describe the sizes of a good or an item. While in most cases it is enough to commit to a purchase, other times it becomes a significant obstacle, especially in cases where the appearance of a delivered item is significantly different than that on the picture. Clothes industry remains largely dominated by traditional marketing for those very reasons (Markham, 2016). In comparison, over a third of all clothing items being sold online is returned to the seller or exchanged for a different item due to a mismatch of some kind (Markham, 2016). At the same time, tangibility plays less of a factor when purchasing items that do not need to be held or felt to ensure quality. Electronics purchases are often done online due to price range differences.

Traditional shopping is a time-consuming process. Even the simplest purchases require leaving the house, traveling back and forth, and spending time selecting goods, paying for them, and bringing them home (Markham, 2016). A simple run to the store for groceries can take a whole hour. More significant purchases might take an entire day. In some countries, like the US, the lack of a personal vehicle is a significant obstacle, especially to the poor, who find it hard to reach the nearest Walmart. Online shopping is much more convenient, as the purchase can be achieved from the comfort of one’s own home, with the goods delivered to the client’s doorstep (Markham, 2016). The time spent waiting for the delivery can be focused on other tasks, especially when said delivery is not required to be urgent.

Traditional and online shopping offer their own distinctive sets of pros and cons when it comes to purchasing goods. Brick-and-mortar shops offer immediacy, tangibility, and the “true spirit of shopping, whereas convenience and cheapness are the primary selling points for online marketing. Depending on what types of goods are needed, customers may choose one over the other. It is unlikely for either one to replace the other in full, thus ensuring the harmonious coexistence of both types of shopping.

Markham, J. E. (2016). The future of shopping: traditional patterns and net effects . Springer.

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Home » General » What is the Difference Between Online Shopping and Traditional Shopping

What is the Difference Between Online Shopping and Traditional Shopping

The main difference between online shopping and traditional shopping is that online shopping is very convenient as you can shop anytime, anywhere while traditional shopping can be time-consuming , but allows you to actually see and touch the products you are buying.

Although we usually associate shopping with going to a shop and making a purchase (we call this traditional shopping), online shopping is rapidly becoming popular all over the world. However, each has its own pros and cons.

Key Areas Covered

1.  What is Online Shopping       – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons 2.  What is Traditional Shopping      – Definition, Features, Pros and Cons 3.  What is the Difference Between Online Shopping and Traditional Shopping      – Comparison of Key Differences

What is Online Shopping

Online shopping is the activity of purchasing products and services over the internet . This is a very convenient way of shopping since you can use it to buy things from anywhere at any time. All you have to do is visit a specific website or an online retailer like Amazon, eBay, and AliExpress and search for the product and order it using your credit or debit card. In addition, there are also other payment methods like PayPal, American Express, Apple Pay, etc. Some retailers also offer the cash-on-delivery option.

Online shopping is rapidly becoming a very popular method of shopping. However, it has both advantages and disadvantages. 

Pros of Online Shopping

• Customers can shop anywhere, anytime as there are no geographical boundaries.
• There are a wide variety of items available for purchase
• Customers have the ability to compare prices and find the items that fit their budget
• It is also possible to buy second-hand items at a lower price
• Customers can easily send gifts to others via online shopping

Cons of Online Shopping

• Customers don’t have the chance to physically see or touch the items they order; sometimes, what they see in product advertisement may be completely different from the product that is delivered to them.
• Customers have to wait for the items they ordered to arrive
• There are delivery charges and chances of mishandling during delivery
• There is a risk of online fraud
• Online transactions may be subject to tax
• Some websites and sellers may pause a threat to online security
• Overall, online shopping may be a dull experience

What is Traditional Shopping

Like online shopping, traditional shopping also has its own pros and cons.

Pros of Traditional Shopping

• Customers can actually touch and see the products they are buying.
• Traditional shopping allows customers face-to-face communication with other customers as well as shop personnel.
• It’s easy to return the product.
• Products like garments and shoes can be tried on before purchase.

Cons of Traditional Shopping

• Traditional shopping may not offer a vast range of products, like online shopping.
• Shops are not open on certain hours and certain days, so there’s a restrain on time.
• There is no opportunity to compare prices and products.
• Customers may lose money and time to travel to the shop.

Difference Between Online Shopping and Traditional Shopping

Online shopping is the activity of purchasing goods and services over the internet while traditional shopping is the activity of visiting a shop and making purchases.

Convenience

Often, online shopping tends to be more convenient than traditional shopping. This is because customers can shop anywhere, anytime as there are no geographical boundaries.

Ability to See and Touch Products

In traditional shopping, customers are actually able to see what they are buying before they make the payment; however, in online shopping, customers don’t have the chance to physically see or touch the items they order; sometimes, what they see in product advertisement may be completely different from the product that is delivered to them.

Traditional shopping is safer than since there is a risk of online fraud and security issues like hacking in online shopping.

Online shopping allows customers to compare prices and find the cheapest products, but traditional shopping doesn’t allow customers this chance to compare prices easily.

Returning Products

There may be some complications in returning the products in online shopping, but it’s relatively easy to return products in traditional shopping. 

Communication

There is no face-to-face communication in online shopping, but traditional shopping allows customers face-to-face communication with other customers as well as shop personnel.

The main difference between online shopping and traditional shopping is that online shopping is very convenient as you can shop anytime, anywhere while traditional shopping can be time-consuming, but allows you to actually see and touch the products you are buying.

Image Courtesy:

1. “2900303” (CC0) via Pixabay 2. “Free photo of Woman Shopping” (CC0) via Stocksnap

About the Author: Hasa

Hasanthi is a seasoned content writer and editor with over 8 years of experience. Armed with a BA degree in English and a knack for digital marketing, she explores her passions for literature, history, culture, and food through her engaging and informative writing.

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A Comparison and Contrast Between Shopping Online and Traditional Shopping

Since time immemorial, shopping has been an integral part of human life. Over time, technological advancements have brought changes in the way people do their shopping. Notably, the advent of online shopping has paved way for an alternative mode of shopping from the traditional shopping and has been embraced globally. This paper compares and contrasts shopping online with traditional shopping.

Traditional shopping refers to the activity in which consumers purchase goods and services by physically visiting a given seller or store. When it comes to purchasing daily necessities like groceries, traditional shopping is considered an essential (Aryani et al., 2021). On the other hand, online shopping is the process of purchasing goods over the internet with the use of internet-enabled devices such as phones and computers. Traditional shopping methods have been in use for ages. It is the most common practice that people use to purchase products. Online shopping is, on the other hand, more recent practice of shopping. It is, however, considered by many, especially those in urban set-ups as the most convenient way of shopping (Aryani et al., 2021).

Both traditional and online shopping methods offer a variety of stores to choose from. Most, if not all, physical stores available, have corresponding online stores that offer the same products. Like traditional stores, online stores offer a variety of items to pick from. Specialty stores, retailers and whole sellers can be found online. Both shopping methods give similar deals and offers in their stores to their customers. They both offer seasonal sales, end of season sales, and stock clearance sales. The promotions from both traditional and online stores are usually offered at similar times of the month. Most traditional and online stores also offer return policies to their customers. Refund or exchange of a product is typically allowed upon customers request for defective or undesired items.

In spite of the similarities between online and traditional shopping, the differences are plenty. When making an online purchase, a customer is unable to touch, feel, smell or even try out a product they are purchasing. A customer is therefore unable to effectively asses and determine the quality of a product. This may affect a customer’s decision to purchase an item, especially for those items that may require one to try them out like shoes and clothes. This is, however, not the case with traditional shopping where one gets to see, examine, feel, touch, smell and even try out a product then make payment upon satisfaction (Daroch et al., 2021).

Online shopping is handier, time-saving, and more convenient as compared to traditional shopping. One is able to go through thousands of items and do comparisons, check for offers and ultimately make a purchase within minutes at the comfort of their seat at any time. This, however, is not possible in traditional stores since one has to physically visit the store to make a purchase. Some traditional stores also have operational hours which, with increasingly busy lifestyles, may turn out to be inconveniencing to some customers.

Online shopping may require one to give out their details for delivery as well as payment methods and contact details which may pose security threats. This is not the case with traditional shopping where one walks in and walks out with their purchased item without giving out any of their details. Moreover, when doing online shopping, one needs to factor in the time taken to deliver the item, which may at times take longer than desired, unlike in traditional stores where one walks out with the item upon payment.

Overall, both online and traditional shopping have similarities and differences as well as advantages and disadvantages. This largely influences the customer’s decision on which method to use in doing their shopping. Some aspects of both methods of shopping may be a disadvantage to some people, while being beneficial to others, as in the case of knowledge of computers for older generations. The preference and benefits are, thus, more personal than communal.

Aryani, D. N., Nair, R. K., Hoo, D. X. Y., Hung, D. K. M., Lim, D. H. R., Chandran, D. A. R., Chew, W. P., & Desai, A. (2021). A Study on Consumer Behaviour: Transition from Traditional Shopping to Online Shopping During the COVID-19 Pandemic.  International Journal of Applied Business and International Management ,  6 (2), 81–95. https://doi.org/10.32535/ijabim.v6i2.1170

Daroch, B., Nagrath, G., & Gupta, A. (2021). A study on factors limiting online shopping behaviour of consumers.  Rajagiri Management Journal ,  15 (1), 39–52. https://doi.org/10.1108/ramj-07-2020-0038

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Online Shopping vs Traditional Shopping, Essay Example

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Even before internet became a widespread phenomenon, futurists used to predict that a day will come when we may shop from the comfort of our homes. It might have seemed a strange idea in those times but now we finally understand what they truly meant. Online commerce has emerged as a serious challenger to traditional brick-and-mortar commerce. Both formats have their own pros and cons and it may be mistake to declare either online shopping or traditional shopping as the superior of the two shopping formats. People have different lifestyles and whether online shopping or traditional shopping may be a better option, depend upon the needs of the individual customers.

Online shopping is a better option when time and prices are the main concerns. Online shopping makes it easier to do quick price-comparison among different online retailers and do so inexpensively. Unlike traditional shopping in which one has to go from store to store for price comparison, online shopping tools allow price comparison among hundreds of online retailers in few seconds. In addition, one can purchase items online from virtually anywhere and anytime of the day as long as there is an internet access. Thus, online shopping may also appeal more to those who have very busy work schedule and cannot afford to spare few hours for traditional shopping. Traditional shopping may appeal more to those who actually like to experience or try the items in person and who enjoy the experience of shopping in mall as much as they enjoy purchasing the items. They view the time spent in traditional shopping also as an opportunity to bond with friends and family. Those who prefer traditional shopping may also care about prices but they have an idea of what they want to pay and do not want to spend too much time and efforts to find the cheapest-possible price. But traditional shoppers may switch to online shopping during difficult economic times because not only online shopping results in better deals, it also allows the shoppers to save on fuel costs. Online retailers understand this which is why many now offer an opportunity to customers to qualify for free shopping.

Whether online shopping and traditional shopping is a better option also depends upon the nature of the goods and services purchased. While online shopping is suitable for many items such as electronics, clothing, and grooming products etc., goods such as perishable food item and big-ticket splurges may be best suited to traditional shopping. Big-ticket splurges are specifically suited to traditional shopping because they often require huge financial investment and require personal inspection and/or test-trials. Some items are so complex or need to be customized that traditional shopping is the only option.

Traditional shopping appeals more when we also enjoy discovering new things in the shopping mall and do not always know what we want to buy. In online shopping, we usually know what we are looking for. But when we know what we want, online retailers have an advantage over traditional retailers. Online retailers do not have to invest in physical infrastructure, thus, they can display lot more varieties on their website than a traditional retailer.

Both online shopping and traditional shopping meet different needs, thus, it is common for most people to employ both shopping formats. Shopping is a lot more than just purchasing goods or services. Online shopping is a relatively new phenomenon, thus, it will continue to evolve and get better over time while traditional shopping format may continue to exist more or less unchanged.

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Differences Between Online and Traditional Shopping

• Categorized under Product & Services | Differences Between Online and Traditional Shopping

Online vs Traditional Shopping

Shopping is probably one of the oldest terms used to talk about what we have all been doing over the years, if possible, eras. Then again, in ancient times, the terms that would have been used would be ‘trading’ or ‘bartering’ and probably even ‘market.’ So what has traditional shopping have to offer now that the internet has opened up a wider and more enticing market to the current consumers?

What is online shopping?

Simply put, it is any form of sale that is done over the internet. Shopping has certainly gotten a new definition since the arrival of the internet. Because of what the internet has to offer, that is, any person or company from any part of the world who is able to post and sell goods on the internet via a website is able to sell. What’s more, any consumer does not have to worry about having to find means to exchange monetary paper because not just online banking is made available, the consumer is given the option to pay through different payment methods. These days, it is even easier to find the most difficult of all products, by easily typing in the product or item that you are looking for. One doesn’t have to worry about location because logistic companies are also joining the bandwagon, so to speak, and helps in making sure that their products would be available to any and all destinations in the world. In fact, there are more and more advantages and benefits to online shopping and why people choose to do this type of shopping over traditional shopping.

What is traditional shopping?

Imagine going to a store, think of your favorite store in the nearest mall to where you live. You get into the store, slowly walking from rack to rack, checking out the display, putting a dress over your body and trying to check out your reflection on one of the nearby full-view mirrors that are placed all around the store. You move on to the next display rack, and probably make another selection and do the same thing you did earlier. This is what traditional shopping is about. Having the ability to physically choose and check out what an item or product is like, would look like, and what its features are. This is why some consumers still prefer the traditional type of shopping over online shopping because for one, it allows them to meticulously check out an item. Some consumers are not quite certain with their own size, sometimes fitting a size that would normally be bigger or smaller than their actual size. So in retrospect, while online shopping has not just numerous benefits and advantages as explained by many online consumers as well as studies and surveys, there are still conventional shoppers who like to check out the product that they are interested in buying.

Online shopping has given any and all types of consumers the ability of being able to buy anything, that is, any type of item or product, regardless of where its location is in any part of the world. What’s more, the consumer does not have to leave the confines of his house or current location to be able to own and purchase the merchandise, item, or product that he wants.

Traditional shopping still allows for more ground to the consumer in terms of being able to physically check out and even try out the merchandise that he wants.

So if you have certain peculiarities, quirks, or habits that you, as a consumer, would have, no matter what type of shopping you choose, whether you would go for online shopping or traditional shopping, the bottom line is that you would always be able to find the best means to whatever suits you in both the money factor and the need or want factor.

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Cite APA 7 Franscisco, . (2013, August 31). Differences Between Online and Traditional Shopping. Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects. http://www.differencebetween.net/business/product-services/differences-between-online-and-traditional-shopping/. MLA 8 Franscisco, . "Differences Between Online and Traditional Shopping." Difference Between Similar Terms and Objects, 31 August, 2013, http://www.differencebetween.net/business/product-services/differences-between-online-and-traditional-shopping/.

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Compare and Contrast Essay: Online Shopping vs. In-Person Shopping

Over the recent year shopping has taken two turns, the have the most classic form in person shopping and online shopping. They may be similar in their basics but online shopping and in person shopping are different based on the experience, time consumption, and the variety and availability of the items. They may be but the environment changes the situation a person is in and the interaction one has go through home or in an actual store.

Experience is a major component in shopping be it experience with the way a shop or way a website is set up. Amazon and target are two good examples in the difference between online and in person. While shopping in amazon.com consumers can expect to find almost anything with ease and minimal problems, but there can be other factors that can lead to problems. For example, consumers internet can be slow, or their phones could be cut off because they forgot to pay their bill. In person shopping does not have problem with slow internet or forgotten phone bills, any shopper can browse and find what they need or finds something that they might have needed but forgot. But in person shopping also has their downside for instance a shopper may forget the list of items they need or run into other fellow customer that will bother them believing them to be an associate of the store. In the end online shopping experience has a better impact on the shopper.

Another component is time consumption. Many shoppers are workers as well and need to organize their day to be early to their jobs and have time for their shopping for home necessity. Online shopping is time consuming but can be controlled because it can be done from anywhere. A consumer can be at home shopping and getting ready for work and still make it in time. But of course, there are consumer that get stuck and stay online shopping locked onto their screen looking for items they need or just want. In person shopping is good because you can browse on your way to work early in the morning and get your necessities and leave easily. But there is the possibility of getting stuck in traffic. Traffic can happen at any given time and a shopper can shop and then find out they are stuck and would be late for work. Given the time consumption of each online shopping comes to the top for less time consumption because traffic wouldn’t faze it at all.

Lastly it comes down to variety and availability. Variety and availability brings in more consumer to look and buy for items they need. Online shopping can have variety to the max. You have many shops at your disposal and can move to each site with ease. The chance of online shops to not have the product are low and if they don’t have what a consumer need then their other websites. With shopping in person, the chance of items being out of stock are higher than online. The shopper then must leave and go to another store where they may or may not have the item they need. In online shopping a consumer can find almost exactly what they need no problem but in person shopping chance are almost less than half of online shopping making online shopping more convenient.

In the grand finally of online shopping and in person shopping consumers can have better experiences online shopping. Time consumption would go in favor for online because of its flexibility of location and speed of looking for items. For variety and availability online shopping come out as more favorable.

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Online Shopping vs In-Store Shopping: Which Is Better?

Shopping has evolved dramatically over the past several decades, providing consumers with more choice and convenience whether they shop the brick-and-mortar stores or browse online for their purchases. Even holiday shopping has adapted to the changing landscape with Black Friday and Cyber Monday appealing to both in-store and online shoppers. It’s easy to assume there is a generational divide between those who choose more traditional or modern shopping methods, but in reality it involves factors ranging from accessibility and variety to local support and the shopping experience itself.

Advantages of online shopping

Although online shopping has been around for consumers since the mid-1990s, mainstream use has skyrocketed over the past several years as people grow increasingly comfortable with it and accustomed to the ease and speed of online retail. [1] It’s hard to dispute the advantages of online shopping. After all, the availability of extensive online research and reviews promotes buyer confidence. And few would dispute the convenience of around-the-clock shopping from the living room sofa. Unfortunately, all this online activity also creates ample opportunities for scammers, so it’s important to always follow safe online shopping practices.

1. Grocery delivery and pick-up

Everyone must buy food, but the transition to online grocery shopping has been recently accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. [1] The benefits are clear, especially for those who may struggle to find an hour or more a week to spend browsing the store shelves for groceries. Not only can you fill your cart from the comfort of your home, but you can also clip coupons online and even speed up the process by saving regular items in your app. Grocery stores have made pick-up a breeze, allowing shoppers to schedule a pick-up time that ensures their vehicle is packed and ready to go within minutes of parking.

2. No sales pressure

Although sales representatives can provide helpful knowledge and expertise, they can make some in-person shopping experiences nerve-wracking for consumers. It’s no surprise that some shoppers prefer to remove the pressure altogether by relying on online shopping sites where they can take their time and not feel forced into a sale by somebody working on commission or just trying to help.

3. Research and product reviews

The internet is a great place to research and compare products before pulling the trigger on a purchase, especially a big one. Blogs and other online articles from trusted, unbiased sources can take a lot of the work off your plate by testing products, outlining the pros and cons of different brands, and comparing prices. Customer reviews are also a great resource for finding a reliable product that fits your needs.

4. More variety

While brick-and-mortar stores must deal with the limitations of shelf space and retail agreements, online shopping presents few restrictions. There are many options to choose from, such as whether your product comes from brands or sellers – both local and international. You can even reach small independent shops that may have been far off your radar before the development of online shopping.

5. Convenience

When it comes to online shopping versus in-store shopping, the convenience of online shopping clearly stands out. A shopping list that once might have required an entire day of shopping can now be completed in one sitting thanks to online shopping platforms – if you can wait for delivery. You can also squeeze in some shopping whenever you have the time, whether that’s during a 15-minute break at work or after the kids are in bed for the night. And with front-door delivery, that’s one less thing to fit into your schedule.

6. No crowds

Crowds have been a shopping headache for a long time, but the pandemic has made them even more of a deterrent. Even with the efforts to enforce social distancing in stores, it’s nearly impossible not to find yourself within six feet of other shoppers as you browse the shelves or round an aisle. Online shopping also saves you the time of waiting in long lines to check out.

Advantages of shopping in store

Despite the many advantages of the internet, shopping in-store still has many benefits and a prominent place in retail. Some things are unique to an in-person experience, such as physically examining a product or discussing your needs with a knowledgeable sales associate. Let’s not overlook the peace of mind that comes with knowing exactly what you’re getting when you leave the store with your merchandise in hand. No one likes to worry about the timeliness and accuracy of online order deliveries.

1. Try on or test products

Some items are easier to buy if you can check them out personally to ensure quality. When it comes to perfumes and cosmetics, stores offer the opportunity to test the products to make sure they’re right for you. It’s also nice to be able to try on clothing at the store so you can choose the best style and fit for your body. Bigger purchases, ranging from eyeglasses and mattresses all the way up to a new car, are also worth the extra time and effort to test before you buy. [2] Even in-person grocery shopping has its perks – as you can pick out your own produce or compare labels more easily.

2. In-store promotions

In-store promotions are designed to attract customers to brick-and-mortar stores and build brand or product awareness. If you’re not physically visiting these stores, you may be missing out on temporary discounts on popular services, free giveaways, and the special promotion offers available by completing the survey at the bottom of your receipt. [3]

3. Instant gratification

When you shop in-store, there’s no waiting around for an item to arrive. You immediately have what you need – and there are no shipping costs. For shoppers who like to quickly eliminate items from their shopping list, it may be appealing to visit the store and leave with your purchase.

4. Personalized experience

A friendly and knowledgeable sales associate, combined with an up-close look at the products, creates a more personal shopping experience. This is especially true for local and specialized stores where you’ll likely talk to somebody who’s keenly familiar with the products. From bookstores to car dealerships, personal recommendations and expert guidance can be quite helpful.

5. Support local businesses

One of the most compelling reasons to visit your Main Street brick-and-mortar stores is the support you give to local businesses. Many shoppers are willing to forego convenience and savings in exchange for supporting their local community. When you shop local, you’re getting more than just a product. You’re strengthening the local economy.

How to shop safely during COVID-19

COVID-19 has dramatically changed the playing field for shopping, pushing more and more consumers to shop online and limit the spread of the virus. But whether out of preference or necessity, some in-person shopping is bound to still take place.

Social distancing guidelines for safe in-person shopping include [4] :

• First, you should avoid shopping in-store if you are sick or have any symptoms of COVID-19.
• Wear a mask.
• Avoid peak shopping hours.
• Stay at least six feet away from others.
• Disinfect your shopping cart.
• Whenever possible, touch only the products you plan to purchase. Produce makes this difficult. Use your eyes to eliminate bad fruit and veggies as much as possible.
• Use touchless payment if possible.
• Avoid touching your face with unwashed hands.
• Be diligent about hand hygiene. Use hand sanitizer before entering and after exiting a store, and wash your hands with soap and water when you return home.

Remember to stick to your budget

Payment options have evolved right along with shopping trends so that now even the smallest retailers can accept credit cards and other digital payments. But as shopping online and in-person becomes increasingly convenient, it’s also easier to overspend. It’s good to know you can stay on track with a monthly budget . Be realistic when planning your expenditures, both essential and non-essential, and then stick to your budget. The time and effort you put into budgeting will be worth it when you’re able to meet your expenses, pay off debt and build up your savings.

[1] “The curious origins of online shopping,” (July 26, 2020).

[2] “5 Things You Should Always Try Before You Buy,” (Aug. 7, 2016).

[3] “How to Use In-Store Promotions to Promote Your Business,” (Oct. 2, 2015).

[4] “Headed Out? How to Stay Healthy When Running Essential Errands,” (April 20, 2020).

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