essay online shopping vs traditional shopping

Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping Essay

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Introduction

Comparisons and contrast.

The advent of internet shopping in the late nineties created a revolution in the retail industry. Benefits that were previously inaccessible to the masses became a reality. Today, buyers can get the latest I-Pad from Apple at the click of a button. They can purchase the latest designer-colognes from Paris, even if they live in New York. One, therefore, wonders whether online shopping will replace traditional shopping. Through a contrast and comparison of these two shopping channels, it can then be possible to answer the latter question.

Some of the most advent supporters of online shopping are environmentalists. Many of them assert that online shopping eliminates the need for consumers to transport themselves to a physical store. This saves on fuel charges and paper. Similarly, traditional shopping from a supermarket or in a mall can also save on plenty of energy costs.

Customers can get everything they require under one roof, thus eliminating the need to transport themselves from one point to another. This saves on fuel and other charges that emanate from physical movement of people for shopping. On the other hand, these two channels differ in terms of their environmental-friendliness.

Individuals can use the Postal service to ship their online commodities. Since the postal service is bound to come to a certain neighborhood anyway, then fuel costs can be minimized. Such economies are unavailable in traditional brick and motor stores. Furthermore, one can buy multiple items from distant locations and save volumes of fuel. Traditional retail stores would require one to drive physically to the concerned store, even though it might be located all the way in China.

Both types of shopping avenues provide buyers with a certain level of comfort and ease. Customers go to online stores in order to avoid the overcrowding and hurling that is synonymous to traditional stores. This is quite helpful during the holiday seasons. Buyers can transform their shopping into a pleasant experience by simply avoiding these crowded areas. Similarly, some customers go to traditional stores in order to enjoy a different type of comfort.

They approach these physical stores in order to access immediate help from sales persons concerning certain items. Shopping from traditional stores allows retailers to consult about the features of a certain product and this causes them a certain level of ease and comfort. On the other hand, traditional retailers cannot offer the same level of comfort that online stores can.

In online shopping, buyers simply have to select an item and pay; everything else is handled by the internet firm. Conversely, shoppers from physical stores have to plan for their transportation to and from the brick and mortar store. If the products they are purchasing are bulky, then they must make special arrangements to carry the item to their homes.

All channels of shopping furnish customers with information about the features of products. It is possible to know about the sizes, features, and costs of products in online and traditional shopping. Conversely, the dependability of the information differs substantially depending on whether one is using online shopping or traditional methods. Many customers have complained about misleading information or unavailable information in online stores.

Buyers who need advise about using a certain product or need to inquire about its capabilities in traditional stores can easily get this information from sales persons. On the contrary, one cannot get this information easily from internet forums. Some websites may have contact numbers or e-chat forums; however, these are not available in all of them. Online shoppers only have pictures and product descriptions to know everything they need to know about a product.

This method may work for certain types of products that have low prices and minimal modifications. However, the same approach may not work for expensive and highly customizable products such as cars or houses. Few customers would buy houses based solely on a product description or picture they saw; many would want to see the spacing and features in that house. Automobile purchasers would also need to test-drive items before they can walk away with them. In this regard, internet channels fall short because they cannot provide personalized information or experiences.

It is possible to compare prices in these two avenues. One can walk from shop to shop and find the best offers in one’s location. The same thing happens in internet shopping. One can visit a number of websites and compare the prices offered by these entities. In contrast, it is much easier to compare prices on the internet than in physical locations. If a store was located in a different city, it would be impractical to drive all the way to that store simply to find out what their prices are. Therefore, online shopping is superior in this regard.

These two platforms are both vulnerable to theft or fraud. In physical stores, criminals may organize a massive robbery and this can cause substantial losses to the concerned entrepreneurs. Alternatively, customers may shoplift or get away with non payment in physical stores. Similarly, theft can occur in online stores when an alleged retailer either purports to sell non – existent products or sells counterfeit or inferior goods to clients.

The main difference between these two types of channels is that in physical stores, customers do most of the stealing. Furthermore, they use relatively simple methods to carry out these activities. On the other hand, the internet has created a new breed of wrongdoers. Most fraudsters are fake sellers rather than buyers.

A number of them tend to use very sophisticated methods to lure their ‘clients’ and defraud them. It takes a lot of intelligence and security measures to guard against these individuals. Therefore, buyers must be wary of these challenges when they select online shopping as their preferred method of purchasing.

Cases of missing information exist in these two approaches. A customer may purchase something from a brick – and – mortar store, and this item may not be easily examinable at the retail store. This may make it easy to find flaws in it. For example, someone may purchase a television set from an electronics shop, and when the buyer gets to his or her house, he or she may find that the keys on the remote control do not work as stated.

Similarly, one may buy a book from Amazon and find that it has several missing pages. These issues occur because sellers may have hidden certain information about their materials. On the flipside, it is easier for retailers to hide information about their products on the internet than in physical stores. Many online customers often complain about the hidden costs that come with internet purchases. Shipping costs and other miscellaneous charges may hide the true price of a certain commodity on the internet.

Furthermore, even the process of purchasing an item on the internet is never as short as retailers claim. One must register, enter a series of personal details, read the privacy policy, and enter details about one’s credit card information. It may take a phone call or an e-chat to find out about certain order details. Therefore, what should have taken fifteen minutes ends up taking forty five or fifty minutes. There are more loopholes on the internet to facilitate missing information as compared to traditional shopping

Internet shopping still has a series of flaws that physical shopping does not. Nonetheless, the convenience and flexibility offered by this method are unrivaled in brick and mortar stores. It is likely that these two methods of shopping will continue to complement each other in the future as the pros and cons of one method are neutralized by another.

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• Overcoming Challenges in E-Contracting for Effective E-Commerce
• E-Commerce in India: Growth, Challenges, and Future Prospects
• Electronic Payment Issues in E-Commerce
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• Chicago (A-D)
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IvyPanda. (2020, April 25). Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping. https://ivypanda.com/essays/internet-shopping/

"Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping." IvyPanda , 25 Apr. 2020, ivypanda.com/essays/internet-shopping/.

IvyPanda . (2020) 'Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping'. 25 April.

IvyPanda . 2020. "Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping." April 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/internet-shopping/.

1. IvyPanda . "Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping." April 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/internet-shopping/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping." April 25, 2020. https://ivypanda.com/essays/internet-shopping/.

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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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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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Online Shopping vs. Traditional Shopping: Pros and Cons

Find out the pros and cons of online and traditional shopping and decide which one is right for you.

Shopping has come a long way from the days of wandering through brick-and-mortar stores. The rise of the internet has led to a massive shift in how people buy goods and services. Today, consumers can choose to shop online or visit a physical store. While both methods have their advantages, each also comes with its own set of disadvantages.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of online shopping and traditional shopping to help you make an informed decision.

First this. 

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In this article

Online shopping statistics, what is online shopping, advantages of online shopping, disadvantages of online shopping, what is traditional shopping, advantages of traditional shopping, disadvantages of traditional shopping.

In 2022, there were 268 million online shoppers in the United States . This number is projected to increase to almost 285 million online shoppers in 2025 .

According to recent estimates, global e-commerce sales will reach $58.74 Trillion by 2028 . This represents a significant increase from previous years and indicates the growing popularity of online shopping.

Additionally, online retail sales are projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.6% from 2021 to 2028 . This means that the online shopping industry is expected to continue growing at a rapid pace for the foreseeable future.

If we’re looking at statistics by gender, the difference between the percentage of male and female shoppers isn’t a breath stopper. 72% are women, while 68% are men .

Online shopping is a type of electronic commerce that allows consumers to buy products and services through the Internet.  Just like in Temu , with just a few clicks, consumers can browse through thousands of products from various vendors and make a purchase without leaving their homes. Online shopping has become increasingly popular in recent years, thanks to its convenience and cost-effectiveness.

Convenience and Flexibility

The convenience and adaptability offered by buying online cannot be equaled. Customers are able to purchase from the convenience of their own homes, workplaces, or even while they are traveling. This flexibility is especially helpful for people who have a lot of things going on in their lives, have trouble moving about, or live in more isolated regions.

Wider Range of Products

Online shopping provides access to a vast range of products from around the world. Consumers can easily compare prices and features of different products from different vendors without the need to physically visit multiple stores.

Cost-Effective

Online shopping can save consumers a significant amount of money . Online stores typically have lower overhead costs than physical stores, which allows them to offer lower prices on products. Additionally, online shopping offers the ability to easily compare prices between vendors to get the best deals.

Time-Saving

Online shopping is a time-saving method of shopping . Consumers can easily find what they are looking for by searching for specific products, and checkout takes only a few minutes. This is in contrast to traditional shopping, which can involve spending hours traveling to different stores and searching for products.

No Crowds and Queues

With online shopping, there is no need to contend with crowded stores or stand in line for a very long time. Customers don’t have to go through the anguish and inconvenience of standing in line to pay for their items, which saves them time and stress.

Lack of Physical Inspection

One of the biggest drawbacks of online shopping is the inability to physically inspect products before making a purchase. This can result in purchasing products that do not meet expectations or do not fit as desired.

Delayed Delivery

Online shopping involves waiting for the products to be delivered, which can take several days or even weeks depending on the vendor and location. This can be inconvenient for those who need the product immediately.

Risk of Fraud and Scams

When customers make purchases online and provide sensitive information such as their name, address, and credit card numbers, they put themselves in danger of falling victim to con artists who are looking to take advantage of them. This could result in the loss of money or the theft of your identity by another person.

No Personal Interaction

Traditional purchasing gives more opportunities for personal engagement than shopping online. The fact that customers cannot ask questions or receive fast assistance from sales personnel can make shopping a less enjoyable experience for many customers.

Returns and Exchanges

When you shop online, the process of making returns and exchanges can be more difficult. The procedure may require sending the product back to the seller, after which the customer must wait for a replacement or refund, both of which can be time-consuming and expensive processes.

Traditional shopping, also known as brick-and-mortar shopping, involves physically visiting a store to buy products or services. This method has been around for centuries and is still a popular way to shop, especially for those who prefer to inspect products before purchasing.

Immediate Gratification

Traditional shopping offers immediate gratification. Consumers can purchase products and take them home immediately, without waiting for delivery.

Tangible Shopping Experience

Traditional shopping offers a tangible shopping experience. Consumers can physically inspect products before making a purchase, which can be beneficial when purchasing items such as clothing or furniture.

Personalized Service

Traditional shopping provides personalized service from sales associates who can answer questions and provide assistance. This can result in a more satisfying shopping experience.

Social Interaction

Traditional shopping offers social interaction, which can be enjoyable for some consumers. Shopping can be a social activity, and some people enjoy the experience of shopping with friends or family.

No Shipping Fees

Traditional shopping eliminates the need to pay shipping fees, which can be costly with online shopping.

Time-Consuming

Traditional shopping can be time-consuming, especially if consumers need to travel to multiple stores to find what they are looking for.

Limited Range of Products

Traditional shopping provides access to a limited range of products compared to online shopping. Consumers may need to visit multiple stores to find the product they want.

Higher Prices

Traditional shopping can be more expensive than online shopping, as physical stores have higher overhead costs.

Crowded Stores and Queues

Traditional shopping can involve dealing with crowded stores and long queues, which can be stressful and inconvenient.

Limited Availability

Traditional shopping can be limited by store hours and availability. Consumers may not be able to purchase products outside of store hours or during holidays.

Online shopping and traditional shopping both have their advantages and disadvantages. The decision of which method to choose depends on individual preferences and circumstances. Online shopping offers convenience, cost-effectiveness, and a wider range of products, but lacks the personal interaction and physical inspection of products that traditional shopping provides. Traditional shopping offers immediate gratification, personalized service, and social interaction, but can be time-consuming and more expensive. Ultimately, the choice between online and traditional shopping depends on what is most important to the consumer.

Q: What is traditional shopping?

• Traditional shopping refers to the conventional method of purchasing goods or services in physical stores. Customers visit brick-and-mortar locations to browse, select, and purchase items.

Q: How does traditional shopping differ from online shopping?

• Traditional shopping involves physically visiting stores, providing tangible product experiences, and immediate purchases. In contrast, online shopping offers convenience, a wider selection, and often better pricing, but lacks the physical interaction with products.

Q: What are the benefits of traditional shopping?

• Benefits include the ability to see, touch, and try products before purchase, instant gratification, no shipping costs, and personal interaction with sales staff.

Q: Are there any disadvantages to traditional shopping?

• Disadvantages include limited store hours, necessity to travel to the store, potentially higher prices, and a more limited product selection compared to online stores.

Q: What types of products are best suited for traditional shopping?

• Products like clothing, footwear, and perishable goods are often better suited for traditional shopping due to the need for physical examination or fitting.

Q: How has traditional shopping changed in recent years?

• Traditional shopping has evolved with technology integration like digital payments, augmented reality in fitting rooms, and enhanced customer service experiences.

Q: Can traditional shopping be environmentally friendly?

• Yes, traditional shopping can be environmentally friendly, especially when local businesses are supported, reducing transportation emissions and packaging waste.

Q: What is the impact of traditional shopping on local economies?

• Traditional shopping supports local economies by sustaining local businesses, creating jobs, and contributing to local taxes, which in turn fund community services and infrastructure.

Q: How do seasonal sales impact traditional shopping?

• Seasonal sales, such as Black Friday or holiday discounts, significantly boost traditional shopping, attracting more customers through special deals and promotions.

Q: What is the role of customer service in traditional shopping?

• Customer service is crucial in traditional shopping, providing personalized assistance, answering questions, helping with selections, and improving the overall shopping experience.

Q: How can traditional shopping experiences be enhanced?

• Shopping experiences can be enhanced through store ambiance, knowledgeable staff, loyalty programs, and integrating technology like virtual try-ons or digital catalogs.

Q: What are some challenges faced by traditional shopping outlets?

• Challenges include competition with online retailers, maintaining foot traffic, adapting to changing consumer preferences, and managing overhead costs like rent and utilities.

Q: How does traditional shopping cater to different age groups?

• Traditional shopping caters to various age groups by offering diverse product ranges, store layouts, and marketing strategies that appeal to different demographics.

Q: Can traditional shopping be a sustainable option?

• Yes, it can be sustainable, especially when stores implement eco-friendly practices like reducing packaging, using renewable energy, and offering locally sourced products.

Q: How do return and exchange policies work in traditional shopping?

• Return and exchange policies vary by store, but generally, customers can return or exchange products within a specified period, often requiring a receipt and the item in its original condition.

Q: What is the future outlook for traditional shopping?

• The future of traditional shopping likely involves a blend of physical and digital experiences, focusing on unique in-store experiences, customer service, and community engagement.

Q: How do cultural factors influence traditional shopping?

• Cultural factors greatly influence traditional shopping, including local traditions, holidays, and consumer behavior, shaping the types of products offered and the shopping experience itself.

Q: What is the role of window displays and store design in traditional shopping?

• Window displays and store design play a crucial role in attracting customers, enhancing the shopping experience, and reflecting the brand’s identity and values.

Q: How do social interactions influence traditional shopping experiences?

• Social interactions, such as shopping with friends or family and interacting with store staff, add a personal touch to traditional shopping, often making it more enjoyable and informative.

Q: How do traditional shopping districts contribute to urban life?

• Traditional shopping districts contribute to urban life by creating lively, walkable areas that foster social interaction, cultural expression, and economic activity.

Q: What is the importance of location in traditional shopping?

• Location is key in traditional shopping, as accessibility, visibility, and proximity to targeted customers significantly impact foot traffic and sales.

Q: How do traditional retailers adapt to changing consumer trends?

• Traditional retailers adapt to changing consumer trends by updating their product offerings, embracing new technologies, and enhancing customer service to meet evolving preferences and expectations.

Q: What is the significance of traditional markets or bazaars?

• Traditional markets or bazaars hold cultural significance, offering unique, often handmade goods, fostering community ties, and providing a sense of local tradition and authenticity.

Q: How does traditional shopping benefit artisans and small producers?

• It benefits artisans and small producers by providing a platform to showcase and sell their products directly to consumers, often allowing them to retain a greater share of the profits.

Q: Can traditional shopping be combined with online elements?

• Yes, many traditional retailers combine in-store shopping with online elements, like click-and-collect services, online inventory checks, or digital loyalty programs, to enhance convenience and customer experience.

Q: How does traditional shopping influence fashion and trends?

• Traditional shopping plays a significant role in fashion and trends, as in-store displays, seasonal collections, and local shopping trends often influence consumer choices and broader fashion trends.
• https://www.statista.com/statistics/273957/number-of-digital-buyers-in-the-united-states/
• https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2022/10/31/2544834/0/en/ Global-e-Commerce-Market-to-Hit-Sales-of-58-74-Trillion-By-2028- E-commerce-Market-Has-Come-a-Long-Way-Still-Need-to-Overcome-Some-Challenges.html#:~:text=filingsmedia%20partners-,Global%20e%2DCommerce%20Market %20to%20Hit%20Sales%20of%20%2458.74%20Trillion,Need%20to%20Overcome%20Some%20Challenges
• https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2021/04/06/2205170/0/en/ Growing-at-14-6-CAGR-The-Global-E-learning-Market-Size-Will-Exceed-a-Value-of-374-3-Billion-by-2026.html
• https://belvg.com/blog/men-vs-women-who-runs-the-online-shopping-world.html

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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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Online Shopping Vs Traditional Shopping: The Better Way To Shop

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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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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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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Online Shopping — Comparison of Shopping Online Vs In-store Shopping

Comparison of Shopping Online Vs In-store Shopping

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Updated: 1 December, 2023

Words: 500 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Works Cited

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• Park, J., Lee, C., & Ahn, J. (2016). Effects of social commerce factors on social media trust, perceived value, and purchase intention. Journal of Business Research, 69(9), 3801-3808.
• Shim, S., Eastlick, M. A., Lotz, S. L., & Warrington, P. (2001). An online prepurchase intentions model: The role of intention to search. Journal of Retailing, 77(3), 397-416.
• Wang, D., Yu, C., & Wei, Y. (2012). Social presence as a double-edged sword: The effects of social presence on mobile shopping. International Journal of Electronic Commerce, 17(3), 257-282.
• Yoo, B., & Donthu, N. (2001). Developing a scale to measure the perceived quality of an Internet shopping site (SITEQUAL). Quarterly Journal of Electronic Commerce, 2(1), 31-46.

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