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Are you an outdoors shopper or a stay in doors computer shopper?

by Kange
14 replies
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What does the future hold for your area and shopping experience?

It appears that long gone are the days when you would set up a business on a market stall getting up at 6am to trade or open up a local/high street shop. The traditional stores appear no more! There either struggling and losing appeal or being boarded up across the country.

I think this is such a shame. For example, when you visit villages and nice towns at a weekend or during your holidays, they seem very deserted, no atmosphere and lifeless. This is happening more and more as it appears that customers are no longer going out on Saturday shopping spree with friends and family but are spending their evenings and weekend browsing online in the warmth of their own home and taking advantage of free next day delivery and massive sales. The only thing it doesn't offer by staying indoors and placing your order is being able to feel the material of clothes and trying things on or looking at the gifts 'real life' terms. When you receive your items and there just not what you thought they'd be like, you have to go through the hassle of returning and exchanging your items rather then having a 'one stop shop' shopping experience in a 'real' shop trying it on before you buy. Staying in however does save transport costs, getting ready to go out and energy. Its much easier to grab your laptop/iPhone,iPad and search for special offers online..Is this the future?

I myself do shop online when i don't have time to go out or i just want to be lazy at the weekend, curl up on the sofa watching a movie and browse online.

The plus side for businesses are that the internet is a great place to save costs if you run a business with no rental fees or ordering stock that doesn't sell in shops and it seems easy to build online business with eCommerce cheap packages and sell your goods or promote your business whatever it may be online..

Does anybody else miss the high street/town roads being jammed with people getting in your way and queuing to get into shop because its so busy and standing out in the cold and enjoying the atmosphere?

Are you an outdoors shopper or a stay in doors computer shopper?
#computer #doors #marketing #online #outdoors #retail #shopper #shopping #stay
  • Profile picture of the author Martyn Wilson
    I am very much an indoors shopper and try to do as much as possible on line including banking, grocery shopping, insurance, bills, clothes and holidays (although I have to actually leave the house to go on holiday).

    Groceries is my favourite as I now get them delivered free mid week. It also saves a fortune as we now buy exactly what we want instead of walking out of a supermarket with a trolly full of crap that we never went in there for.

    But all that said, I also miss the charm of the small shops and the personal service. Unfortunately it looks as though those days are numbered. Shame.
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  • Profile picture of the author Newbieee
    No matter what, it wont come a time where offline totally disappear.

    They both have their own domains.

    Its like CDs and DVDs existing but cinemas are still around.
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  • Profile picture of the author Martyn Wilson
    I agree that they won't dissapear completely, but unfortunately the sole traders and small family run businesses are becoming a thing of the past. My town has seen many of the smaller shops go out of business with only the bigger chain stores still open.
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    • Profile picture of the author Newbieee
      Originally Posted by Martyn Wilson View Post

      I agree that they won't dissapear completely, but unfortunately the sole traders and small family run businesses are becoming a thing of the past. My town has seen many of the smaller shops go out of business with only the bigger chain stores still open.
      think of it.
      its actually better.

      street stalls have high rental.
      Where do you thing the rental cost goes?
      It translate to the product or service which the customer pays for.
      So offline sstuff logically tend to be more expansive.
      Online stuff are and can afford to be cheaper. This benefits the online shopper.
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  • Profile picture of the author kirajx
    Both are great !
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    • Profile picture of the author Newbieee
      Originally Posted by kirajx View Post

      Both are great !
      yes both are great in their own ways.

      but in my previous post i was talking in terms on price issues.

      =)
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    • Profile picture of the author MissTerraK
      It really just depends on what I'm shopping for.

      Books are something I most always purchase online, but for anything else, I go out and about.

      There is no way shopping online can capture the essence of a group of me and my friends shopping together, giving opinions on looks, styles and fit. We can't stop and do lunch and catch up on life were we to shop online.

      There's no thrill in taking a grandchild on a shopping spree for their birthday on the internet.

      To me, shopping is a fun social activity and online shopping just doesn't fit the bill.

      Terra
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  • Profile picture of the author Paleochora
    Living in the back of beyond in what many would deem a "backward" country, all of my main shopping (grocery and general needs) is done in the town. There you have the option of using cash, cash or...eh, cash. Not even debit/credit cards so eshopping seems a long way off, lol.

    For electronic stuff, it is easier and cheaper for me to buy it from overseas on Amazon or Ebay and wait for it to arrive (providing it doesn't get stolen in the postal service which has happened on a number of occasions) than it is to go to the nearest city (90 minutes drive away) and pay massively over-inflated prices.
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  • Profile picture of the author tylamro
    Offline isn't going anywhere for a while but with advances in technology you never know what we will be able to do as far as shopping in 10 or 20 years. Personally, I like a mixture of both. It's great to order something online and have it delivered to your house, but some things you need that day and the store is really your only option. By 2030 I am sure you will be able to just reach into your computer and grab something to add to your virtual cart lol
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  • Profile picture of the author dgridley
    I shop online a lot, mainly for bargains on tech or gadgets not available locally. Living in a small town, there aren't a lot of choices locally for many items I might want.
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    • Profile picture of the author Daniel Evans
      I can't say I'm a fan of offline shopping.

      I find it stressful rather than enjoyable.

      I'd much rather click a few buttons online, have it delivered and go somewhere more interesting than a busy supermarket to spend my day.



      Daniel
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  • Profile picture of the author Jay Wessman
    I prefer to shop online for a lot of stuff since it's so easy to get reviews and compare prices.

    I'd still rather buy stuff like food and clothing offline though.
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  • Profile picture of the author Michael Ten
    I shop both online and offline.
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  • Profile picture of the author LeeLee
    I mostly shop offline. I like to walk around a store and get some exercise and stimulation beyond my computer.

    I think there is some kind of marketing wisdom that says you will be more likely to buy what you can touch. That if in fact a sales person can get you to touch an item you will be more inclined to buy it.

    I wonder how then they explain the success of the internet?
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