Make Tech Easier - Thursday, September 12, 2019 at 3:25 PM
Do You Prefer to Shop Online, on Your Mobile, or at a Brick-and-Mortar Store?
The landscape of shopping opportunities continues to change and evolve
frequently. Twenty-five years ago if you dared to trust the Internet with your
information, there were certain stores that were online, but for most shopping
needs, you needed to hit your local mall or grocery.
Just 25 years later shopping has completely evolved with online shopping
becoming more and more prevalent. And now with delivery options being readily
available with most stores, that landscape is changing again. At this point in
time, do you prefer to shop online, on your mobile, or at a brick-and-mortar
store?
Our Opinion
For Elsie it depends on what she’s buying. She prefers shopping on her mobile
for software, other digital products, and a few other items she can’t easily
find locally. She wants to physically review certain things, like a car or
electronics such as headphones. She wants to “physically review and try them
for myself, not just go with what’s been said online and hit the ‘add to cart’
button.’ “
She wouldn’t buy groceries online either, as she wants to pick her own unless
the grocer knows her preferences. Most brick-and-mortar stores are within her
reach anyway, so she’ll pop in and buy stuff in bulk for the week, minimizing
her movement.
Phil shops online for everything. These days shopping online is reserved for
things he needs to try on, enjoys buying physically, or needs in the immediate
moment. He’s been shopping online since the 90s and “surprisingly, few items
have gone astray or not been what I ordered.”
Three online stores he frequents – eBay, Amazon, Aliexpress – are
interchangeably laptop/mobile experiences, and he has confidence in the
process. He does miss going to video and record stores but “increasingly
hanging about in brick-and-mortar stores feels like an old-fashioned
experience.” The only ones he frequents are computer game exchanges where he
needs to be there in person to get bargains.
Andrew typically shops online with his laptop, as he does “too much comparison
shopping and bargain hunting to do a lot of shopping either offline or on
mobile.” Even if he’s physically in a store, he still does a little product
research when it comes to price or making major purchases.
Grocery shopping is the exception. He doesn’t particularly like it but just has
to go wander the aisles and find what he needs. He used to live in an area with
online grocery delivery, but even then he’d still go physically shopping at
least once every two weeks.
The problem Simon has with shopping online is that much of his entertainment
and work has moved indoors, so he needs more excuses to go out and get some
fresh air, making him prefer to go out to buy what he wants If he can find it
nearby and at a good price. Yet, usually online prices are cheaper, “so if I
can make a substantial savings from ordering online, I’ll take it.”
Sayak regularly buys groceries, clothing, and daily essentials online. While he
had relied on a laptop for this, recently he’s been relying more on Android
grocery apps. He also started using mobile wallets to pay the tab at
restaurants and bars. “Before this I was skeptical about them, but indeed
they’re way faster.” While traveling, he’ll only trust cash, except for online
bookings. Additionally, he loves the color, commotion, and bargains only a flea
market can generate.
The only things I don’t buy online are groceries and drug store items. I’ll get
other items while I’m grocery shopping at a big box store as long as I’m there.
All else I buy online. Some grocery/drug store items I can’t find in the store,
so I rely on Amazon, such as a sweet-tea-flavored tea bags for iced tea.
Between my daughter and I, the two of us order enough things that we have
things being delivered nearly daily. I no longer use a computer and only use a
mobile for everything.
Your Opinion
What are your shopping habits? Do you mostly shop online other than grocery
items? Are you still shopping in person for most things or only certain items?
Do you prefer to shop online, on your mobile, or at a brick-and-mortar store?
Chime in to our conversation in the comments below.
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David Goldfield
Assistive Technology Specialist
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