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Online Shopping

Shopping Online or Still Shopping in Stores?

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Introduction

Over the past decade, there has been an extreme jump in Internet sales. For example, in 2006, from November 1st to December 26th online shopping soared to $23.1 billion dollars, increasing by 26% from the previous year (Hall). Creating a competitive battle with retail stores, online shopping presents a more convenient method of shopping without the lines and the crowds; however, buying online takes away from the social aspect of shopping. Having recognized the lack of social appeal that e-commerce presents,new navigating tools to ease decision-making are being implemented. (Haubl). As a result, people are becoming more comfortable with shopping online. As the pressure from online shopping sites increases, retailers have to focus on better marketing strategies to promote products and influence customers to shop in their stores instead of online. In fact, many retailers are now making their products available online. Thus, a new influx of “click and mortar” retailers are surfacing. The “click and mortar” retailers that provide online shoppers with easy-to-use features are increasing their online profits and becoming strict competitors to the top online-only companies (ie. Amazon and Netflix) (Kavilanz).

Hypothesis

After each holiday season, the battle between retail and online shopping intensifies, while retail sales fall and e-commerce profits surge. Nevertheless, online shopping replacing retail is improbable in the near future because of the lack of global access to the Internet. Moreover, online shopping can alienate consumers from the concrete world. Though the virtual marketplace may seem appealing because it is convenient, people need the physical. The question, however, is: if e-commerce starts implementing more physical aspects into online shopping, will the virtual marketplace take over the real marketplace?

Descriptions

Retail Vs. Online Shopping: Explores the the success of top online-only companies and compares them to the currently increasing success of "click and mortar" retailers.

Increase in Online Shopping: Addresses the trend of online shopping and explains the strategies e-commerce websites are using to increase their amount of customers and profit.

Retail Stores: Explains how retail stores are dealing with the competition from e-commerce. Also, addresses retailers' plans to get customers shopping in their physical stores. Even so, retailers will continue to prevail over e-commerce in the near future.

Virtual MarketPlace: Discusses the advantages and the disadvantages of the virtual (online) marketplace.

Interesting Statistics: Online shopping facts that you probably would have not known. Surprising!

Predictions: Discusses several hypotheses for the future of online shopping and its virtual marketplace. Though they may seem outlandish, they are surprisingly probable and realistic.

Project Explanation/About Me
©2007 Rachael Sanchez