Paper Example. Online Shopping vs. In-Store Shopping

The activity of buying goods from different places has changed in recent times. Before the implementation of technology, there was in-store shopping. It is a type of shopping that entails buying goods within a shop or store. The implementation of technology by most organizations and companies led to the introduction of online shopping. It is a type of shopping that involves buying goods and services over the Internet. The similarities between these two types of shopping are related to the availability of stores, a wide variety of products and services, interactive experience, and incentives while the differences are related to convenience, variety in different categories, delivery, the return of goods, and provision of reviews.

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There are similarities between online and in-store shopping. The first similarity relates to the availability of stores. Both online and in-store shopping provides several stores that consumers can visit (Gore). Most in-store shops will have a corresponding online page that customers can refer to when they want variety. The same items that are in the in-store shops are offered online. For example, in-store shops that sell items such as mobile phones can easily be found through a quick internet search. The second similarity is with regards to selection. A wide variety to choose from is offered by both online and in-store shops (Gore). A good example of an in-store shop that offers such a wide variety of products and services is a shopping mall. In the case of online shopping, a quick search for an item such as jewelry can produce different varieties that differ in terms of prices, size, color, and material among others.

Online and in-store shops are similar in terms of the deals and sales that they offer to customers (Gore). It is not uncommon to see retailers or wholesalers offering the same deals on goods and services for both in-store and online shopping. Some of the deals may include season sales or Christmas offers. Other incentives that are provided in both avenues may include free shipping for products reaching a certain price. Retailers have used the internet to promote such offers and as such show that these two types of shopping complement each other. It is also common for deals offered through both ways to end on the same day. An example is the end of a season such as Christmas. The interactive experience can also be created online and in-store shopping (Gore). For example, customers can see a variety of colors for the same product offered in-store and online.

There are also differences between online and in-store shopping. Online shopping is more convenient than in-store shopping (Sarkar & Das 428). For example, consumers do not need to travel or visit physical shops to pick an item that they ordered online. Online shopping is available 24 hours a day and can be accessed through different avenues such as the use of mobile phones, laptops, and tablets among others. In most online shops, products are delivered at the location of a consumer (Sarkar & Das 428). The online shops may also offer free shipping as a way of encouraging consumers to come back for more. Even though both online and in-store shopping offers a variety of products and services, online varieties are the most effective (Sarkar & Das 428). They can offer a variety of products in different categories. For example, a variety of watches can range from the material used in developing them, the level of technology applied, and the country of origin. The fact that online shops do not need space to offer a variety gives them an advantage over offline shops.

Online shopping allows consumers to provide reviews on products and services that they purchase. It gives the customers an opportunity to learn about a product or service before they can purchase them (Sarkar & Das 428). Online companies have also developed sites through which customers can provide instant reviews once they purchase a product or service. It allows online shops to make improvements on products and services and also ensures that customers get the best products and services.

Online shopping allows customers to return products that have not met their needs or expectations. However, the process of returning a product can be very hectic for online customers (Sarkar & Das 429). For example, they have to call customer care and explain the conditions of their products and services before it is accepted. The same challenge is experienced in the delivery process. Customers are unable to immediately use products or services that they purchase as there is a lag time between placing an order and delivering it (Sarkar & Das 428). An order for a product or service can take up to one week.

Both online and in-store shopping is still being used today by individuals. This has been based on some of the similarities they have such as offering a variety of products and services, having different stores, and offering deals and sales among others. However, there are also differences related to convenience, provision of consumer reviews, and offering a variety of products and services in different categories. Online shopping has been the most effective in most businesses today.

Works Cited

Gore, Allie. The Similarities between Shopping in a Mall. Techwalla. 2019. Web.

<https://www.techwalla.com/articles/the-similarities-between-shopping-online-in-the-mall>

Sarkar, Raja & Das, Sabyasachi. Online Shopping vs. Offline Shopping: A Comparative Study.

International Journal of Scientific Research in Science and Technology 3.1(2017); 424-431.