The internet, without a doubt, is redefining our lives in many ways. It shows in the way we are shopping. In this digital era, it is possible to shop anytime and anywhere. Whether you are on a train, in your car, or on your bed, you can buy the things you want.
Despite the growing popularity of online shopping, there are still many people who prefer an in-store shopping experience. With this being said, one might be wondering – what is more popular, online, or in-store shopping? We are here to shed light on this question. Keep on reading and know the answer.
A Look at the Statistics
To learn what is more popular, online, or in-store shopping, let’s look at some statistics from reputable sources. As they say, the numbers don’t lie, so they will help us to have an objective answer to our question.
In one report from Statista, it is noted that that the e-commerce share of the total retail sales by 2024 will grow by as much as 22%. In North America, the same report notes that the percentage of e-commerce in total sales is 8.1%. It also concludes that India is the top country that will see the highest growth in online shopping sales from 2019 to 2024. Statista also reports that in 2018, there are 1.8 billion people worldwide who shopped online.
Meanwhile, in one report from Mastercard Spending Pulse, as written by The New York Times, it has been revealed that sales from online shopping in the United States grew by 18.8% compared to its performance in 2018.
However, it is too early to make conclusions. Despite the growing trends that show the popularity of online shopping, this does not mean that it is overtaking traditional stores. In an article from Forbes, it has been shared that people spend more when they are shopping in-store compared to when they are buying online. Emotion plays a significant role in this trend. The human interaction makes it easier to convince buyers. They are looking for visceral experiences. There is also a higher rate of impulse shopping.
Shopping Begins Online
Regardless of where people shop, it is interesting to note that the consumer’s journey starts online. People search online for the things that they want to purchase.
To begin their shopping online, one thing that more people do is to read reviews and guides. That is when websites like Bestreviews.guide will come handy. It is a website that will make people well-informed purchase decisions. That can also direct you to a link where you can shop for specific products online.
Another form of online shopping is through auctions and myauktion.at is one of the various sites where you can find everything and anything. With these bidding sites, you will only have to watch for the competition and try to buy something which not many people are interested at the moment. It is known that you can purchase a certain item at a embarrassingly low cost.
Digital marketing also plays a crucial role. Gone are the days when businesses depend solely on traditional means of promoting their products and services, such as through television, print, and radio. Combining these traditional means with online platforms, such as social media and emails, will benefit your business greatly. With this, when people see the ads online, they quickly become attracted, and from here, they decide whether they will be making the purchase online or offline. To learn about how print advertising can help you expand your reach, click here.
Driving Forces Behind the Growth of Online Shopping
One of the many things that makes online shopping more popular is the convenience that it offers to buyers. As previously mentioned, you can shop anytime and anywhere. That makes it an excellent alternative for busy people who don’t have the time to go to the mall or visit a physical shop. You can shop even at midnight when all the stores are closed. Online stores are accessible round-the-clock.
Online shopping also makes it easier to compare prices. In the past, you will have to hop from one store to another if you would like to do comparison shopping. Whereas, when you shop online, you can do it in the comfort of your seat. You can visit multiple stores and shopping platforms to compare prices.
Besides, online shopping also means that you can read reviews from other users. Through the real-life experiences that they are sharing, it will be easier for you to weigh the pros and cons of the product. However, it would be best if you were careful to make sure that the reviews are authentic.
Also, a lot of discounts can be caught online, because you have tons of discount options on just one click from you. To learn more about these offers visit Promocodex.
What Online Shopping Lacks
One of the biggest things that online shopping lacks is human connection. You are interacting with a computer or mobile phone. There is no person who you can talk to. For instance, if you have questions about the products, you cannot get an immediate answer. While chat support is always available, it is commonly just a chatbot, and you cannot expect a genuine response.
Most physical stores are also capitalizing on experiences. Many companies are investing in making their stores look the best to appeal to the emotions of the buyers. From the color of the store to the design, it can help in creating unique experiences that customers will love.
When you are shopping online, there is also no opportunity for a physical inspection of the product that you are buying. You cannot see its actual colors, sizes, and conditions. Often, the pictures can be deceiving, which might make it more challenging for you to come up with the right decision. It is not uncommon for some buyers to be disappointed after knowing that the product they bought is so much different from the way they are advertised on websites.
Conclusion
In sum, from the things mentioned above, it is clear that online shopping is becoming more popular year after year. Among others, its most significant benefit is the convenience that it can offer to buyers. However, despite this notable trend, it is essential to note that in-store shopping is not dead. People are spending more on in-store shopping. The biggest challenge for online retailers is not to lose the human touch and provide a better experience so that they can appeal to the emotions of their buyers.
Additionally, you can check out luckydealnews.com for the best retail and amazon offers.
