Brick-and mortar retailers of the 1990's have realized the potential for greater profits and cost reduction through the use of e-commerce. Also, while it may be difficult to gain a customer following online, it is much easier and less expensive to begin an online business. Businesses can more easily get an advertisement to particular consumers. Whether customers have been to the business before and given an email address, the business advertises on a site like Facebook or the business comes up in a search for some item, its just easier.
Now for some of the reasons that online compulsive shopping is more serious than traditional shopping:
- Can't see any empty wallet when buying online
- Can't get the "high" of holding the purchased item
- Can easily visit many stores and buy many items in minutes
I have focused on US consumers for the majority of the post but I also found a survey from China where 71% of respondents stated that they were addicted to online shopping. That is an outrageous number! The survey was conducted earlier this year and the exact definition of 'addiction' was not given but that is still astonishing to me.
I know that not everyone has a problem with this subject and I'm sure a large number of people use the Internet to more thoroughly research purchases. However, this issue caught my attention and I thought I should give a little more information about it. Enjoy and explore more if you are interested.
Citations:
http://www.addictionhelpcenter.com/online-shopping-addictionhttp://english.peopledaily.com.cn/90001/90776/90882/7273391.html
This comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteI can very easily see people becoming addicted to online shopping. I think the fact that comparing prices is relatively easy contributes a lot to the problem, especially in this economy. If the consumer perceives the price as a good deal in comparison to other sites, they are more likely to purchase the item. I think people get caught up in how much they are saving instead of how much they’re spending and use it to rationalize their purchases.
ReplyDeleteOnline shopping has so many advantages for both the consumer and business that it is hard to not to get addicted to it! It is so easy to online shop! You can roll out of bed, or not even get out of bed, get your lap top and start shopping. You do not have to deal with lines, crowds, or those holiday rushes. I know, online shopping, has increased in popularity during the holiday seasons. No one has to deal with the hassle. I know a couple of my friends recently got an Amazon credit card and I swear I feel like they order something everyday because the packages have yet to stop coming to the door! They said it is so easy because you get discounts on items as well as the shipping process, why not just click and buy! My personal favorite aspect of online shopping is the fact, if you don't have that particular store near you, you can just shop off their website! When going to school at Western Caroline University, shopping anywhere, besides Wal-Mart, was an hour away and still did not have the stores I wanted to shop at. So, I got extremely addicted to just shopping off their website. Yes, I had to pay for shipping but that was better than paying four dollars a gallon to drive to the store!
ReplyDeleteI'm guilty of online shopping myself, I feel like as a consumer, I find better deals online, I'm able to shop without having to drive to the mall. Most online websites offered free shipping and free returns which makes it easier for us (consumers) to shop and return any items that did not meet our expectations. Sometimes, websites offers extra discounts on their items, most times items are a lot cheaper that in stores since they (stores) have to cover higher expenses such as # of employees and rent payment. My friends have named me their personal shopper since I have come to discover great places to shop online, where i find items faster and cheaper.
ReplyDeleteTest
ReplyDeleteI am a fan of online shopping when the shopping consists of easy to pick from items such as games, bedding and other non wearable items. However clothes shopping is still something I would rather do in person and probably will always rather do. I personally don't want to buy something and then not be able to where it because while the size was right on the site when I get it it just doesn't fit in certain places when it comes. I'm sure there will always be newer technology coming out to help bring this risk down but every store and company has different sizes and unless you know your size in every store online and not online then trying on is a need. So while it can cut down on my time and effort I really don't mind shopping if it means I know I will absolutely love what I am getting
ReplyDeleteI love the convenience of online shopping! As is true of many men, I do not like the in-store shopping experience, rather I prefer to purchase rather than shop, that is, going to the store only when there is a particular item I need or want. Online merchants make it possible to take this a step further. Combined with the advances in search engine technology and the existance of numerous online only e-tailers, I am able to shop for and purchase what I desire with the confidence that I have received a very good, if not the best, deal available, all without ever having to leave home. I do not think that those like me would be accused of being addicted to online shopping, but perhaps we could rightfully be labelled as being completely drawn into the convenience of being able to acquire what we seek without the crowds and hassles of retail shopping.
ReplyDeletePersonally, I love online shopping! Of course, when it comes to certain things such as clothes or shoes or something I need to try on, I'll go to the actually store, but otherwise shopping online is so convenient. It also makes shopping for family a lot easier for example amazons wish list. My family all has one and keeps it updated with everything they would want for christmas, birthdays,etc. So yes I would say I was addicted to this for sure!
ReplyDelete