Shopping Online vs. Shopping in Stores

Shopping Online vs. Shopping In Stores

More and more shoppers are turning to online shopping for its convenience and selection. But with stores pulling out all the stops to get business, and offering extreme sales, should you shop online or in person? Shopping on the Internet is very convenient, but security risks are prevalent. Malls and Superstores are crowded…that is a plus for some and a minus for others, which one would you prefer? The growing trend among retailers is e-commerce, or etailing. While there are many benefits to online shopping, some target markets just do not transition from physical stores to online shopping very well.

Shopping in malls and stores is not a good idea, during the holiday seasons; the struggling economy will probably cause more Americans to shop online. Fifty-one percent of Americans plan to hunt for the best deals online, with women ages 18 to 34 the most likely to do so. (Nov 29, 2010-The Sydney Morning Herald) Seven in 10 say that the expectation of better deals online is their chief reason to shop electronically, while slightly more than half say saving on gas is a reason to do so. Others say that the bad economy will “bring out the crazy” in people in stores: three in 10 people will be staying home to avoid the crowds. The Black Friday crowds have been in the news with increasing frequency in recent years. In 2008, a Wal-Mart seasonal employee in Valley Stream, N.Y., was trampled to death following the opening of the store. That same day in California, two men shot each other in front of a Toys "R" Us store. (Nov 18, 2009-Eyewitness News) At least a dozen other incidents have happened over the past four years, some of which resulted in serious injury or even death: It’s no wonder why some might want to skip the Black Friday rush. Consumers also see mobile apps as crucial to making holiday shopping easier. About half say these apps make finding the best deals easier, assist them in planning their shopping trips and let...