reason of online shopping essay

Online Shopping Essay

500+ words online shopping essay.

The trend of online shopping has increased in recent times with the increase of e-commerce and digital technology. With just a single click, you can shop for everything by sitting at your home as per your choice, convenience and budget. This essay on online shopping will help students learn about the pros and cons of online shopping. We have also compiled a list of CBSE Essays on different topics to help them improve their essay-writing skills. These essays will also help them improve their scores on the English exam.

What Does Online Shopping Mean?

Online shopping is the activity of buying products and services over the internet using a web browser or mobile app. It means buyers have to go online to reach a seller’s website and then select the product they want to purchase. The buyer can pay for the goods and services either online with a credit or debit card or upon delivery. Online shopping sites are also known by many other names such as e-shop, e-web-store, e-store, internet shop, web-store, web-shop, virtual store and online store. An online shop creates a physical analogy for buying products or services. Some of the famous online retailing corporations which facilitate the experience of online shopping are Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, Myntra, etc.

Online shopping is a growing area of the digital world and technology. Establishing a store on the Internet gives various options to consumers. With the growth of online shopping, most businesses have started selling their products online. Now, just having physical stores is not enough in this fast-paced world. Having online store interfaces for consumers has also become essential for running a business in the current scenario.

Benefits of Online Shopping

There are numerous advantages of online shopping. People feel more convenient while shopping online. They can shop from anywhere at their own convenient time through easy and safe payment methods. Online shopping has empowered consumers with various advantages such as convenience and time-saving, lower search costs, better product selection, lower prices, etc. One of the biggest benefits of online shopping is that you can buy the items you want with just a single click. Online stores are open 24 hours a day and are accessible from any location with an internet connection.

Online stores carry more variations and provide more varieties of a product as compared to traditional stores. This is because online stores don’t need to attractively display their items on shelves, and they can keep a larger amount of inventory on hand. They might also have small amounts of each item since they don’t need to display them and can order more from their supplier as needed.

Online shops tend to provide more information about items for sale than you would get in a physical store. Product descriptions most often include a description from the manufacturer, another description from the vendor, specific technical and size details, reviews from professional magazines and journals, and reviews from people who have bought the product. Having all this information available when you are considering a purchase makes you a more informed consumer without having to perform extra research by yourself.

Online stores are not burdened by the costs of running a physical store, such as the rent of the physical premises and wages of sales staff. The cost savings by online stores lead to lower pricing on the internet, passing on cost savings to shoppers. The internet encourages online vendors to compete with one another by lowering prices.

Disadvantages of Online Shopping

The benefits of shopping online also come with potential risks and dangers. When you shop online, you can’t touch or try out the product. You have to depend upon product pictures only. You can’t buy the product instantly. If you don’t get the product in hand immediately after payment, you have to wait for delivery, which can take days to weeks. There is no guarantee that you will get the product in its original shape; it might get damaged on the way. Sometimes, the product is very different from the pictures and description due to various reasons and also has poor quality. If, after receiving the package, expectations weren’t met, you need to go through a returns process which can be time-consuming. Apart from these, there is also a chance of security threats from online shopping. If the site is not secured, you have a risk of losing your card information.

Online shopping is one of the convenient ways of purchasing different products. However, there are some products which are better if they are purchased from physical stores. So, in the future, we can expect online stores to improve their technology, making way for a much easier and faster shopping experience.

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Essay on Online Shopping in 100, 200, and 300 Words.

Updated on
Dec 23, 2023

Shopping is something that many people love. It is particularly cherished during festive occasions such as Diwali, Navratri, Christmas or New Year etc. The shopping world has changed and evolved majorly providing us with various options of the same. The convenience of online shopping platforms has now come into play. Those days when individuals have to take on a long journey of shopping are now past us, all thanks to the various online shopping platforms that are now at the tip of our fingers. This is just a brief introduction to how to write an essay on online shopping. Now let’s have a look at the samples of essay on online shopping.

Table of Contents

1 Essay on Online Shopping in 100 words
2 Essay on Online Shopping in 200 words
3 Essay on Online Shopping in 300 words
4 Advantages

Essay on Online Shopping in 100 words

The way of shopping has been revolutionized by online shopping. It has made it possible and convenient to shop virtually from literally anywhere.

The sheer convenience of shopping is one of the biggest advantages of online shopping. For those individuals who are busy and struggle to find time to visit stores, online shopping is a boon.

Payments are easy this way with the variety of options available such as debit card, cash on delivery, etc. However, there are some drawbacks to online shopping as well. One of them is the delivery of the wrong item or a different item than that seen online. So one should be cautious and should make informed decisions.

Essay on Online Shopping in 200 words

In today’s world, as science and technology are progressing, a lot of things have become more convenient for us. One such thing is online shopping. Over the years due to its high demand and convenience, it has become very popular. It involves virtually placing an order on any e-commerce website without the need to go to a physical store. Various items such as shoes, gadgets, household products, and even groceries can be ordered from the comfort of your couch.

Some of the key benefits of online shopping are mentioned below:-

Crowd Avoided:- since online shopping is virtual, going to crowded places is avoided.
Convenience:- we can shop from the convenience of our homes.
Variety in products:- on different platforms, a vast range of products is available.
Variety in payment options:- Debit card, cash on delivery, etc payment options make it all the more convenient.

Although there are many pros of online shopping, there are some drawbacks as well. There have been many instances where wrong or damaged goods got delivered. There can be instances where a product may not match its depiction when delivered in terms of color, etc.

Some websites even scam people and are fraudulent. Hence, it is important to take caution while shopping online.

Essay on Online Shopping in 300 words

During the 1990s, the concept of online shopping came into play and since then, it has grown exponentially. Its principle lies in the ease of browning a wide variety of products on various e-commerce platforms. The e-commerce platforms have played a central role in enabling different businesses to connect with a global audience.

There are various advantages of online shopping, one of them being the ease of online shopping. With virtual stores, you can shop whenever you want and from wherever you want. The limitations of time don’t apply to the online stores. They are accessible 24/7.

Wide Range of Products

When you shop online, you don’t have to limit yourself to only some products. Online shopping opens a portal to a wide range of products to select from.

Saves time and money

When you shop online, you don’t have to go to stores. You can shop from the comfort of your couch. That saves time. And generally, online stores have some kind of offers and discounts going on which saves you money.

Although online shopping has many advantages, there are also certain cons that it carries with it. Some of those cons are mentioned below:-

Shipping issues

There can issues with the shipping such as the product may get damaged during its shipping or it may get delivered to the wrong address.

Return Policies

If the product is different and the customer wants to return it or get a refund, there can be certain policies that prevent the same.

Different item Delivery

There can be instances where the product, when delivered, is different from the one shown in the images online. Returning the same can be a hassle too as it has to be repacked for some resellers.

Hence, when shopping online one should always be cautious and take calculated decisions.

Deepansh Gautam

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IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay on online shopping/virtual shopping/e-shopping; with planning and model answer

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post is about ‘online shopping and its merits and demerits’ . Here, I’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of virtual/online/e-shopping and presented a model answer on this Task 2 question. This model answer can guide you to write an answer to any online shopping related essay.

Let’s have a look at the question we are going to discuss today.

IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay on online shopping/virtual shopping/e-shopping; with planning and model answer

The language of this task 2 question can be different in different exams.

Here’s another example of the same question:

An increasing number of people are buying what they need online.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shopping online?

Nowadays, e-shopping or shopping online has an increasing trend among shoppers. It has both positive and negative sides. First, we need to make a plan for writing on this topic.

Here’s a short plan that may help you.

Planning and organisation:

Here is how I’ve planned the essay with a 4-paragraph structure:

Introduction: topic + thesis (2 sentences can be sufficient): Introduce the topic – ‘online shopping getting more popular’. Then write a thesis on how you are going to show that there are some positives and negatives of the issue.
Body paragraph on the reasons behind virtual shopping being so popular: You can write about straightforward ideas e.g. people get more convenience, and availability or choice of products. Give some real-life examples here.
Body paragraph on the negative sides of online shopping: Again, present some very general ideas e.g. customers get cheated and people become more isolated. Give some real-life examples here too
Conclusion: restate your ideas Online shopping has both advantages and disadvantages. You can give your personal opinion on how the disadvantages can be reduced.

Now let’s take a look at the model answer.

Model answer: expected band score – 7.5 to 8.0

In recent years, the rate of in-store shopping has plunged due to vast opportunities for buying different products including daily necessaries from hundreds of online stores. This essay will try to demonstrate chances such as convenience and product availability as the reasons behind the popularity of e-shopping whereas it will focus on swindling and isolation as the pitfalls of this issue.

Initially, the prime reason behind the popularity of e-shopping is convenience which can be easily understood from the thousands of virtual shops all over the world. To illustrate, people nowadays are busier than ever because of the fast pace of the world and they want to save as much time as they can for relaxation. Virtual shopping gives this magnificent prospect of time-saving and so people enjoy taking it. Besides, superstores sometimes run out of products in the precise moment when people need them which online shops rarely have this crisis. For instance, I needed a flat-screen monitor a few months ago but my local store had it out of stock. When I peeped into some online stores I found it easily on eBay.

Meanwhile, though shopping on the internet looks very promising, it is not without its setbacks. Many people, mostly the newcomers, regularly complain of getting tricked on virtual shopping and the rate of complaints is increasing at a faster rate. To explain, one of my friends has recently got swindled when he paid in advance for a smartwatch. Additionally, people often become isolated in their rooms through e-shopping which can affect their feelings and behaviour. As an example, a friend of mine started shopping online a couple of years ago even though the nearest superstore was only 500 metres away. His neighbours, nowadays, describe him as an ill-mannered and antisocial person which, needless to say, is the result of being home and becoming isolated from the outer world.

In brief, virtual shoppers obtain greater benefits if compared to in-store shoppers. Converting such shopping to a stress-free experience, it is turning out to be progressively more convenient. However, as clients may sometimes get deceived and become cut off from the social world, concerned authorities should look into the matter cautiously. (360 words)

Here are some other Task 2 questions which can be answered taking help from the given essay example on online shopping:

Some people support online shopping because it is convenient, while others argue that shopping on the internet poses threats. Discuss both views and give your opinions.
Nowadays on-line shopping has become more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development?
Nowadays many people go shopping in their free time. Shopping has replaced many other activities that people used to choose as their hobby. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

If you have written any answer to this question, you can post it in the comment box and we can discuss about it in details.

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Click here for a model answer to agree-disagree topic: elderly or young people as company leaders

Click here for a model answer to advantage-disadvantage topic: online shopping

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Essay on Online Shopping 1000+ Words

Online shopping has transformed the way we buy goods and services. With the advent of the internet, the world of commerce has shifted to digital platforms, making shopping easier, more convenient, and accessible to millions. In this essay, we will explore the many advantages of online shopping, from its convenience and affordability to its impact on traditional retail stores and its role in our modern lives.

Convenience at Your Fingertips

Online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. Shoppers can browse and buy products from the comfort of their homes, avoiding long queues and crowded stores. This convenience is especially valuable for people with busy schedules or limited mobility.

A Vast Selection of Products

Online stores provide a vast array of products that cater to diverse tastes and needs. Whether you’re searching for clothing, electronics, books, or specialty items, the internet offers an extensive selection with just a few clicks.

Competitive Prices and Discounts

Online retailers often offer competitive prices and frequent discounts. The ability to compare prices from different sellers allows shoppers to find the best deals, saving them money. Additionally, online coupons and promotions further enhance the affordability of online shopping.

Access to Customer Reviews

Before making a purchase, online shoppers can read customer reviews and ratings. This valuable information helps buyers make informed decisions, ensuring they select high-quality products that meet their expectations.

Convenient Payment Options

Online shopping platforms offer a variety of payment options, including credit cards, digital wallets, and online banking. This flexibility makes transactions convenient and secure for shoppers.

Doorstep Delivery

One of the most significant advantages of online shopping is doorstep delivery. Shoppers no longer need to travel to physical stores; instead, their purchases are delivered to their homes, saving time and effort.

Avoiding Impulse Buying

Online shopping can help shoppers avoid impulse buying. In physical stores, tempting displays and in-store promotions can lead to unplanned purchases. Online, buyers have more control over their choices and can stick to their budgets.

Accessibility for All

Online shopping breaks down geographical barriers. People in remote areas or those with limited access to physical stores can now access a wide range of products and services, leveling the playing field for all consumers.

Impact on Traditional Retail

The rise of online shopping has led to changes in the traditional retail landscape. Many brick-and-mortar stores have expanded their online presence to remain competitive. Additionally, some traditional retailers now offer online shopping options to meet the changing preferences of consumers.

Environmental Benefits

Online shopping can have environmental benefits. With fewer people driving to physical stores, there may be a reduction in carbon emissions. Additionally, some online retailers are committed to eco-friendly packaging and sustainable practices.

Conclusion of Essay on Online Shopping

In conclusion, online shopping has revolutionized the way we shop and has become an integral part of our modern lives. Its convenience, affordability, vast selection, and accessibility have made it a preferred choice for millions of consumers worldwide. As technology continues to advance, online shopping will likely become even more accessible and efficient.

While online shopping offers numerous advantages, it’s essential to exercise caution and practice responsible consumerism. Shoppers should be mindful of their budgets, protect their personal information, and support reputable online retailers.

Online shopping is not just a trend; it’s a reflection of our evolving society and the way we adapt to new technologies. As we embrace the convenience and benefits it offers, let us also be conscious consumers who make informed choices, ensuring that online shopping continues to enhance our lives while respecting the principles of responsible shopping and sustainability.

Also Check: The Essay on Essay: All you need to know

Why Online Shopping Makes You So Happy

Overhead View Of Young Woman Doing Online Shopping With Laptop

O nline shopping is more than a hobby for those who get a thrill out of traversing the biggest mall in the world: the internet. It’s also a sport.

How else to explain Monica Corcoran Harel’s reaction to the news that there’s a flash sale at one of her favorite online stores? “I get very, very excited and incredibly competitive,” she says, hitting refresh over and over to land the best deal. If a family member happens to enter the room while she’s hovered over her computer, “I’m like, ‘flash sale! I have a flash sale!’” In other words: do not disturb.

Corcoran Harel, 53, who lives in the Los Angeles area and runs Pretty Ripe, a lifestyle newsletter for women over 40, has been shopping online for years. She relishes the ability to visit dozens of shops at once, comparing prices before clicking “buy now,” and the promise of quick delivery, all without stepping out of her house. Online shopping is “beyond intoxicating,” she says. “I’m probably partially responsible for the downfall of brick-and-mortar stores.”

More from TIME

But what exactly makes these orders feel so good? Experts explain the psychology behind online shopping—along with tips on how to show restraint if your virtual cart is overflowing.

Online shopping increased during the pandemic

Online shopping transformed from novelty to normality years ago: Amazon launched nearly three decades ago, in 1995, as an online bookseller, and now reports that customers buy around 7,400 products per minute from its U.S. sellers. But the pandemic shifted consumer habits in a way that favored buying even basic necessities like toilet paper online. According to the Annual Retail Trade Survey , e-commerce sales increased by $244 billion—or 43%—in 2020, jumping from $571 billion in 2019 to $815 billion in 2020.

That surge was at least partially driven by a desire to avoid indoor venues. But experts say it could also have to do with self-soothing behaviors. Research has long suggested that retail therapy can actually be therapeutic. A study published in the Journal of Consumer Psychology in 2014 , for example, indicates that making purchases helps people feel instantly happier—and also fights lingering sadness. One reason, the study authors speculate, is that making purchase decisions confers a sense of personal control and autonomy.

Another study, published in Psychology & Marketing in 2011 , found that going shopping leads to “lasting positive impacts on mood,” and is not associated with feelings of regret or guilt about spontaneous purchases.

Shopping is, in many ways, motivated by emotion, says Jorge Barraza, program director and assistant professor in the online master of science in applied psychology program at the University of Southern California. “When we’re sad, when we’re stressed, we’re more likely to engage in this kind of behavior,” he says. In some cases, he notes, the spark of joy a fancy new dress or gadget triggers might not last, especially if the buyer knows they’re mismanaging their money. “That boost in mood might be transitory, if you’re spending more than you can afford, but at least temporarily it does appear to restore a sense of control, and reduce any residual sadness that people might be experiencing.”

Why online shopping makes people so happy

In many ways, online shopping catapults the pleasure of in-person shopping to a different, almost overwhelming stratosphere. “It’s psychologically so powerful,” says Joshua Klapow , a psychologist and adjunct associate professor of public health at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. (He’s also the new owner of three inflatable pool floats, a collapsible whisk, two jars of almond butter, and 50 pounds of bird seed, all of which he ordered online.)

Compared to shopping in person, “it’s a much more gratifying experience overall, because there’s less friction, less barriers, less behavioral cost, more specificity, and more choice,” he says. Plus, “the shopping is totally tailored to us. We can shop quickly or slowly.”

Part of the reason why online shopping is so appealing is convenience. When we go shopping in-person, Klapow points out, we have to walk or drive or figure out some other way of getting there, and then we have to stride through aisle after aisle to locate what we’re looking for. Even at stores that offer contactless pay, there’s some effort required to make a transaction: swiping a credit card or Apple Pay on your phone, for example. Then, a shopper needs to travel back home. “For a lot of people, these incredibly minor inconveniences just start picking away at the overall perceived value of the purchase,” he says.

In addition to being easier, online shopping delivers the satisfaction of accuracy. If Klapow heads to a big-box store, he might not find the shirt he’s looking for in the right size or color. If he’s shopping online, he’s more likely to snag exactly what he wants with far less hassle.

Doing so is a form of immediate gratification , which we’re all wired to crave, says Joseph Kable, a cognitive neuroscience researcher at the University of Pennsylvania. “This is a tendency that’s universal among people and is shared across much of the animal world,” he says. “People and other animals tend to discount outcomes in the future, relative to outcomes that are immediate. This means we prefer to have good things as soon as possible, and to postpone bad things as far as possible in the future.”

Interestingly, online shopping is also associated with another, more delayed type of gratification: anticipation for the order’s arrival. Awaiting something exciting is “like Christmas every day,” Klapow says, likening the ability to track a package to monitoring Santa’s whereabouts on Christmas Eve.

That resonates with Corcoran Harel, who works from home and enjoys looking out the window to see if a package has arrived. “I’m vigilant about getting my packages,” she says. “I’m so excited to rip it open and try something on—and the knowledge that you can return something easily just makes it better.”

What to do if you think you have a problem

Researchers define compulsive buying as “a preoccupation with buying and shopping, frequent buying episodes, or overpowering urges to buy that are experienced as irresistible and senseless.” There’s no one-size-fits-all answer to whether your online shopping habit is problematic, Barraza says, but it’s generally a good idea to ask yourself if your purchases are interfering with your quality of life.

Compulsive buying disorder (or any other type of shopping addiction) is not included in the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM). However, it’s been recognized for more than a century: the German psychiatrist Emil Kraepelin is credited with first describing the disorder in 1915, calling it “oniomania”—the Greek word “onios” means “for sale,” and “mania” was interpreted as “insanity.” As the authors of a 2012 article in Advances in Psychiatric Treatmen t point out, experts continue to debate whether shopping addiction is “a valid mental illness or a leisure activity that individuals use to manage their emotions or express their self-identity.”

In a study published in 2014 in the Journal of Behavioral Addictions , researchers presented several factors that might predispose someone to developing an online shopping addiction, including having low self-esteem, low self-control, a negative emotional state, a penchant for anonymity , and an internet diet that includes exposure to lots of graphics and pop-up messages.

Another research article , published in 2017 in Frontiers in Psychology , focused on developing a scale that could measure online shopping addiction. According to the authors, six elements are required to meet the definition of addictive behaviors, including salience (which means online shopping would be the most important activity in the person’s life); mood modification, like feeling a buzz after placing an order; conflict, perhaps with family members; and relapse, or resuming the behavior after trying to stop. In those cases, a person addicted to online shopping might benefit from working with a professional and undergoing cognitive behavioral therapy , Klapow says.

Concerns about shopping addiction and over-spending are especially relevant now, as inflation hits its highest peak in the U.S. in four decades . Klapow recommends focusing on making intentional decisions about what to buy. “There’s nothing wrong with saying, ‘I want this, so I’m going to get it,’ but we do need to be careful that we’re not calling all our wants ‘needs,’” he says.

Here are a few tips if you’re concerned about over-spending online:

Before checking out, review each item in your online cart and ask yourself: “Do I want this, or do I need it?” Klapow instructs his clients to do this cognitive exercise, and it can be helpful, he says. “It forces you to kind of look in the mirror, and you’d be amazed at how many items you end up putting back or saving for later.”

Attach a helpful Post-it note to your computer screen. This is one of Klapow’s favorite ways of modifying the environment to resist the siren call of e-commerce. Write your monthly budget in big letters on the sticky note, or a message directing yourself to check the total cost before clicking “buy now.” The visual reminder can help ground you when you’re caught up in the excitement of a new find.

Don’t store your credit card information online. Lots of people store information for multiple credit cards online, expediting the ability to make a purchase. Ideally, you wouldn’t store even a single card, Klapow says—”not from a safety standpoint, but from an impulse standpoint.” Having to manually input your payment details requires an extra minute to breathe and perhaps reevaluate the purchase.

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Home Essay Examples Business Online Shopping

Online Shopping: Advantages And Disadvantages

Category Business
Subcategory Industry
Topic Online Shopping

Technology advances definitely make our life easier and more convenient. With the help of the Internet, people can do a lot of things without going out, like paying bills, watching movies, study online and so on. Among those, the most attractive one for people is doing shopping online. While online shopping does have many advantages, does it really mean that the traditional shopping will stop its existence?

Perhaps the greatest benefit of online shopping is its convenience and saving time: no standing in long lines at the cash register any more. With online shopping, a person logs onto the Internet, visits the store’s website, and chooses the items she desires. The items are held in a virtual shopping cart until she is ready to make her purchase. The shopper can remain in her pajamas as she does her shopping, and the process can be conducted in the wee hours of the morning or late into the night. Online stores never close – they’re open 24 hours a day. Many people choose shopping online also because they can’t stand that crowded and noisy environment. Moreover, online shopping gives you a possibility to conduct price comparisons from one website to another. This gives you freedom to determine which online store offers the most affordable item you are going to buy, so it saves your money.

Our writers can write you a new plagiarism-free essay on any topic

However, doing shopping online is not always a perfect thing, it also has disadvantages. It seems easy and quick, but there’s always a trap online. If you are careless, it will bring you some troubles. For example, if you order something, at the moment you get the item, you may find that the color is different from what you saw online, or the size is either too small or too big because it is not available to try on before ordering, or the material is not what you want. Online stores are only showing product description and photos of the merchandise, which can be a disadvantage for many online shoppers. Second is diminished instant satisfaction. Unlike buying at retail stores, you are able to use the product instantly after you buy it, which can be satisfying. However, online shopping requires patience to wait for the item to arrive at your doorstep about 2 to 3 days or even longer depending on the location you’ve ordered it from.

In conclusion, online shopping is offering convenience as well as disadvantages, but all things considered, I believe that their influence is beneficial, if we are careful when choosing and trading online.

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Essay on Online Shopping vs Offline Shopping

Students are often asked to write an essay on Online Shopping vs Offline Shopping in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Online Shopping vs Offline Shopping

Introduction.

Online and offline shopping are two different ways of purchasing goods. Online shopping is done on the internet, while offline shopping is done in physical stores.

Convenience

Online shopping is more convenient as you can shop from anywhere at any time. Offline shopping requires you to travel to the store during its operating hours.

Offline shopping provides a tactile experience, allowing you to touch and try products. Online shopping lacks this, but offers detailed product descriptions and reviews.

Delivery Time

Offline shopping gives instant possession of products, while online shopping involves waiting for delivery.

Both methods have their advantages. The choice depends on personal preference and circumstances.

250 Words Essay on Online Shopping vs Offline Shopping

The advent of the internet has drastically transformed the way we shop. Online and offline shopping have emerged as two distinct models, each with its unique advantages and challenges.

Online Shopping: Convenience and Variety

Online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. You can shop from the comfort of your home at any time, eliminating the need for travel and adherence to store hours. It also provides a vast array of choices, with the ability to compare prices and products from different vendors. Moreover, online platforms often offer attractive discounts and deals.

Offline Shopping: Tangibility and Instant Gratification

Offline shopping, on the other hand, provides a tangible experience. Consumers can touch, feel, and try products before purchasing, reducing the risk of dissatisfaction. It also offers instant gratification as there’s no waiting period for delivery. Furthermore, it allows for personalized customer service, which can significantly enhance the shopping experience.

Challenges and Trade-offs

However, both models come with their set of challenges. Online shopping may present issues with product quality, delivery delays, and cybersecurity. Offline shopping can be time-consuming, limited in variety, and often lacks the convenience of home delivery.

In conclusion, the choice between online and offline shopping is largely dependent on individual preferences and the type of product being purchased. A blend of both models, known as omnichannel retailing, is increasingly being adopted, providing consumers with the best of both worlds.

500 Words Essay on Online Shopping vs Offline Shopping

Online and offline shopping are two different methods of deciding how to purchase products. While online shopping offers convenience and a wide range of products, offline shopping provides the tangible experience of physically interacting with products before buying. This essay will delve into both these shopping methods, comparing their pros and cons.

Online Shopping: A New Age Convenience

Online shopping has revolutionized the way consumers purchase goods. The ability to shop from the comfort of home, at any hour, is a significant advantage. It saves consumers time and the hassle of travelling. Additionally, online platforms offer a wider range of products than most physical stores, allowing consumers to compare prices and read reviews before making a purchase.

Moreover, online shopping platforms often offer discounts and deals that are not available in physical stores. This is particularly beneficial for budget-conscious college students. However, online shopping is not without its drawbacks. The inability to physically inspect a product can lead to disappointment if the product does not meet expectations. Also, concerns about data privacy and the risk of online fraud can deter some customers.

Offline Shopping: The Traditional Approach

Offline shopping, on the other hand, provides a sensory experience that online shopping cannot replicate. Customers can touch, feel, and try products before purchasing, reducing the risk of dissatisfaction. Additionally, offline shopping allows for instant gratification as there’s no need to wait for delivery.

Furthermore, offline shopping offers a social experience. Going to the mall or shopping center can be an enjoyable outing with friends or family. However, offline shopping also has its downsides. The limited range of products, higher prices, and the time and effort required to travel to the store can be off-putting for some consumers.

Conclusion: A Blend of Both Worlds

In conclusion, both online and offline shopping have their unique advantages and disadvantages. Online shopping offers convenience, a wider range of products, and often better prices. Conversely, offline shopping provides a tangible, sensory experience, instant gratification, and a social outing.

The choice between online and offline shopping ultimately depends on the individual’s preferences, needs, and the nature of the product. Some may prefer the convenience and range of online shopping, while others may value the tangible experience of offline shopping. As technology advances and consumer habits evolve, we may see a blend of both worlds, where the digital and physical realms of shopping merge to provide an enhanced shopping experience.

That’s it! I hope the essay helped you.

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Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused people to make many changes in their lives. One of these changes is a significant increase in shopping online instead of in physical stores. The pandemic has caused increased use of online shopping as an alternative to physical stores that will remain after the pandemic ends.

Connection to STS Theory

The shift from physical shopping to online shopping is related to the Theory of Path Dependence , which states that current decisions made by people are based on decisions made in the past due to a resistance to change. After the pandemic had taken off, customers stuck with shopping online because of past experiences with shopping during the pandemic. Since the ratio of online shoppers to in-store shoppers decreased during the pandemic, many people decided to continue the convenience of shopping online as opposed to changing their routine to travel to the store.

Online Shopping Is on the Rise

A shopping cart is covered by a large mask, which sits over the front of the cart, with the straps attached to the handlebars. This is to represent stores taking precautions and making changes for the pandemic. It does this by putting a mask on the symbol of shopping, just as we would put a mask on ourselves.

More people are shopping online after the pandemic than before. According to the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (abbreviated UNCTAD), the number of purchases made online has risen by 6% – 10% since the beginning of the pandemic ( UNCTAD , 2020). This increase in online purchases shows that the pandemic has caused people to shop online more.

People do not feel comfortable or safe when they are shopping in person. Why are people shopping online more? People do not feel comfortable or safe when they are shopping in person. In decades prior, people would have had to take that risk, but in 2020, we have an alternative. According to a Morning Consult study, which was shared by Forbes, 24% of consumers said that they would be uncomfortable shopping for 6 months after March ( Meyers , 2020) ( Columbus , 2020). People are not comfortable shopping in person, so they are now shopping online.

Will This Go Back to Normal?

This change in behavior is likely here to stay.

Is this a permanent change? This change in behavior is likely here to stay. According to CNN Business, consumers are embracing these new changes with no sign of reverting to pre-Covid numbers ( Riley , 2020). This is consistent with the path-dependence theory, which states that humans will make choices based on previous choices. Behaviors do not change unless they have to.

People have begun shopping online as an alternative to in person shopping during the pandemic. They did this to feel safe. Even after the pandemic is over, people are likely to continue this behavior, as there will not be anything that forces them to change it. Online shopping is now more prevalent than ever and is here to stay.

UNCTAD. COVID-19 has changed online shopping forever, survey shows. (2020, October 08). Retrieved November 02, 2020, from https://unctad.org/news/covid-19-has-changed-online-shopping-forever-survey-shows

Columbus, L. (2020, April 28). How COVID-19 Is Transforming E-Commerce. Retrieved November 02, 2020, from https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2020/04/28/how-covid-19-is-transforming-e-commerce/

Meyers, A. (2020, April 10). When Consumers Say They’ll Feel OK About Dining Out and Other Activities. Retrieved November 02, 2020, from https://morningconsult.com/2020/04/10/consumer-expectations-normal-activities-comfortable/

Riley, C. (2020, October 13). Online shopping has been turbocharged by the pandemic. There’s no going back. Retrieved November 02, 2020, from https://www.cnn.com/2020/10/11/investing/stocks-week-ahead/index.html

Path Dependence. (n.d.). Retrieved December 03, 2020, from https://www.britannica.com/topic/path-dependence

“Shopping trolley with medical mask.” by focusonmore.com is licensed under CC BY 2.0

To the extent possible under law, Thomas Williams has waived all copyright and related or neighboring rights to COVID 19: A Student Perspective , except where otherwise noted.

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Home — Essay Samples — Business — Online Shopping — A Comparison and Contrast Between Shopping Online and Traditional Shopping

A Comparison and Contrast Between Shopping Online and Traditional Shopping

Categories: Online Shopping Shopping Mall

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Words: 496 |

Published: Jan 30, 2024

Words: 496 | Page: 1 | 3 min read

Convenience, social interaction, online shopping.

Ability to shop anytime and anywhere: Online shopping allows consumers to make purchases at any time of the day from the comfort of their own homes.
Saving time and effort: With online shopping, consumers can avoid the hassle of traveling to physical stores and waiting in long lines.
Access to a wide range of products and stores: Online shopping provides access to a variety of products and stores that may not be available in a local area.

Traditional Shopping

A physical shopping experience: Traditional shopping allows consumers to physically see and touch products before making a purchase.
Immediate product availability: Consumers can immediately obtain the products they purchase without having to wait for shipping.
Opportunity for tactile experience: Traditional shopping allows consumers to try on clothing and test out products before making a purchase.
Unlimited product options: Online shopping provides consumers with an almost limitless variety of products to choose from.
Access to international stores: Consumers can access products from international stores without having to travel to those countries.
Ability to compare prices and reviews easily: Online platforms allow consumers to compare prices and read reviews from other buyers before making a purchase.
Limited product options based on local availability: Traditional shopping limits consumers to products that are available in local stores.
Limited access to exclusive deals or discounts: Traditional shopping may not provide access to the same exclusive deals and discounts that online platforms offer.
Lack of easy comparison for prices and reviews: Consumers may find it more difficult to compare prices and read reviews for products in traditional stores.
Shopping alone without any social interaction: Online shopping lacks the social aspect of traditional shopping, as it is typically done alone.
Limited personal assistance or advice: Consumers may have limited access to personal assistance or advice when shopping online.
Possibility of anonymous shopping: Online shopping allows consumers to remain anonymous and not engage with others during the shopping process.
Opportunities for personal interaction with sales associates: Traditional shopping provides consumers with the opportunity to interact with sales associates and receive personalized assistance.
Social engagement with fellow shoppers: Consumers can socialize with other shoppers and seek their opinions or advice when shopping in physical stores.
Ability to obtain immediate assistance and personalized advice: Traditional shopping allows for immediate assistance and personalized advice from sales associates.

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Traditional vs. Online Shopping Essay

Introduction.

Shopping constitutes a compulsory function for humans in all walks of life. For a majority of people, shopping is an activity that has transcended from being merely a necessity to one that has become a favorite pastime that brings happiness, recreation, and ‘quality time with friends and members of the family. There are basically 3 kinds of shopping where we buy things we require, things we convince ourselves we require, and things we look at (window shopping) just for pleasure. In the modern world of today, it is possible to indulge in all 3 kinds of shopping by utilizing 2 methods: Traditional shopping and ‘Online’ shopping.

Traditional shopping involves shoppers physically entering a brick-and-mortar store or shopping mall to select items of their choice, pay for them in cash or by credit card, and either take delivery personally or have them delivered to their homes by the retailer. ‘Online shopping is a relatively new method of shopping that involves the shopper sitting in front of a Personal Computer at any location (it could be at home, in the office, in friends’ apartments or in internet cafes), browsing through different categories of products at selected websites either alone or with the assistance of family members and/or friends, choosing items, paying for the purchases by credit card or by electronically transferring money from a bank account (from personal experience, I have noticed there is usually no other payment option).

The selected goods are delivered within a period ranging from a day to a week or even longer. In almost all cases, due to the fact that while selecting an item its availability is also clearly mentioned, the entire selection is delivered; if for some unforeseen reason some items are not delivered, then the value of those items is refunded to the customer by the ‘Online’ seller.

Traditional and ‘Online’ shopping are similar in two ways. Firstly, both forms of shopping follow the general concept of commerce; in both cases, there is a buyer and a seller, both of whom share a specific understanding of how the commercial transaction is expected to unfold, run its course and reach its satisfactory conclusion. Secondly, the prominent method of payment in both forms of shopping is credit card payment; although traditional shoppers can opt for check or cash payment, and although ‘Online’ shoppers can opt for electronic transfer of funds from their bank accounts, credit card purchases are preferred in both cases.

Traditional and ‘Online’ shopping is different in several ways. In one group of differences, Traditional shopping holds ‘absolute’ superiority: Firstly, shoppers experience the physical thrill of shopping. Shopping is commonly seen as a way of unwinding after a hard day’s work, or (especially in the case of housewives), escaping from the monotonous routine of everyday life (cooking, cleaning, and looking after the kids). Then there is festival shopping, which usually involves the entire family shopping for decorations and gifts for such occasions as Christmas, Easter, and Thanksgiving (personally, I have several fond memories of this).

Secondly, Traditional shoppers are brought face-to-face with an item that they can touch, feel and examine at close proximity – this goes a long way towards making up their mind to buy it. Thirdly, Traditional shoppers are able to talk with the salespersons or merchants of the store or mall upfront, and freely seek clarification or additional information about products that interest them. Fourthly, Traditional shoppers are able to bargain and obtain a better price for their purchases.

Although people in the United States do not usually engage in energetic bargaining, there are people of several other international cultures (such as Italians, Greeks, and Indians), to whom bargaining forms the essence of the shopping experience, and without which they would end up with the uncomfortable feeling of being cheated. Fifthly, Traditional shoppers are able to judge the merchant’s reputation (and by association, the products being sold in that store) by interacting with other customers. Sixthly, Traditional shoppers are able to take home their purchases immediately, or at the most have them delivered to their homes on the same or the next day.

They, therefore, save time as do not have to wait for days or weeks to receive their purchases as is the usual case in ‘Online’ shopping (there is also the distinct possibility of some items not being ultimately delivered due to some reason such as shortages caused due to improper inventory management). Lastly, almost everyone is well aware that today’s world is blemished by an increasing number of cybercrimes.

These have grown at an alarming rate with increasingly ingenious methods being adopted by computer-savvy criminals. A very large number of innocent people have been, and are being fleeced of their hard-earned money over the Internet – their only crime being that they had to give their personal and bank details while shopping online. On the other hand, Traditional shoppers do not need to give their names, address, and (most importantly) bank account information which are all ‘must-do’s in the case of ‘Online’ shopping.

In the second group of differences, ‘Online’ shopping holds the ‘absolute’ superiority. The first difference involves selection. ‘Online shoppers can browse through a wide selection of products from different retailers and place a single order involving products from different retailers, rather than otherwise embark on the tedious exercise of visiting several stores or malls physically to pick up a few items here and a few items there.

Secondly, ‘Online’ shoppers are benefited by a significant reduction in prices as ‘Online’ sellers have vastly reduced overheads to contend with (especially store/mall rent/maintenance and salaries/perks for salespersons) and are able to comfortably pass on a sizeable part of this benefit to customers in the form of reduced prices for the products sold. Lastly, ‘Online’ shoppers have the luxury of doing their shopping at leisure from the comfort of their home, without having to drive to far-away shopping destinations and being traumatized by rash drivers and difficult car parking situations.

In the third group of differences, both types of shopping score nearly equal points. The first difference involves the time element. In Traditional shopping, customers save time as don’t have to wait for days or weeks to receive their purchases. ‘Online’ shoppers choose the time and place to shop, thus saving valuable time and problems associated with traveling to and from the store.

Secondly, while admitting that the ‘sight and touch’ factor is important, ‘Online’ shoppers find it is irrelevant in the case of items like computers, consumer electronic items, cosmetics, perfumes, and jewelry, where ‘Online’ specifications are clear-cut, very detailed and imminently satisfactory. Lastly, while Traditional shoppers can get clarification and further information about a product from the salesperson or merchant, ‘Online’ shoppers have access to clarifying the information in the form of Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and ‘Online’ customer service for the products they intend to purchase.

From a fair and impartial judgment of both cases, it is my contention that Traditional shopping is definitely better than ‘Online’ shopping simply because the comparative number and weight of its advantages vis-à-vis ‘Online shopping is much more significant as compared to ‘Online’ shopping own unique advantages. As a result, while agreeing that ‘Online’ shopping continues to grow in the United States, it will not overtake Traditional shopping mainly because of the two greatest ‘arrows in the quiver’ of the latter – Firstly, it involves the formidably unique ‘sight and touches’ advantage that Traditional shoppers enjoy.

And secondly, it gives people an opportunity to mingle with others, interact with acquaintances, friends, and relatives and spend ‘quality time with them – in our increasingly busy and modern world of today comprising people increasingly cocooned in their own lives and problems, this pleasurable human interaction afforded by Traditional shopping is literally priceless.

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IvyPanda. (2024, March 8). Traditional vs. Online Shopping. https://ivypanda.com/essays/traditional-vs-online-shopping/

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IvyPanda . 2024. "Traditional vs. Online Shopping." March 8, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/traditional-vs-online-shopping/.

1. IvyPanda . "Traditional vs. Online Shopping." March 8, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/traditional-vs-online-shopping/.

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IvyPanda . "Traditional vs. Online Shopping." March 8, 2024. https://ivypanda.com/essays/traditional-vs-online-shopping/.

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Online Shopping is Significantly Increasing IELTS Essay

Online shopping is significantly increasing. What impact does this have on people, what are the disadvantages and what are the job opportunities?

Online shopping is significantly increasing. What effects does this have on the environment and the types of jobs required?

Give reasons for your answer and include any relevant examples from your own knowledge or experience. You should write at least 250 words.

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Online Shopping is Significantly Increasing Essay

With the proliferation of the internet and smart phones, the trend of online shopping is growing rapidly. This positively impacts environment as it reduces the need of a shop which has a huge ecological footprint. This impacts society in a favourable way by reducing the cost of goods and in an adverse way by reducing employment.

Traditionally, the products are sold in a physical shop that requires lighting, air conditioning, and infrastructure. All these result in environment damage as these require a lot of electricity and raw materials that lead to emission of green house gases (GHG). Online shops, on the other hand, merely transport goods from a large regional warehouse whose ecological footprint, a measure of GHG emissions, is lower than local shops. Thus online shops contribute in environment preservation.

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Online shops have better economies of scale and thus offer prices which are lesser than local shops. This reduces the financial burden on pockets of the citizens and enables them to spend more on education, culture, and entertainment. These activities promote social stability and harmony. However, they often lead to lower employment in a society. Various studies have proved that online shops employ fewer people and they result in shutting down of local businesses. For example, Amazon and Flipkart offer heavy discounts on various products that local stores can not provide. This shifts consumer choice to these websites and this results in loss of local jobs.

In conclusion, online shopping impacts a society and the environment in various positive and negative ways. While it reduces employment opportunities for some, it reduces the cost of goods for a large majority of people. It also reduces the impact of business on the environment. This builds environment sustainability, social stability and economic prosperity in a region.

IELTS Writing Task 2 Online Shopping

In recent years, online shopping has gained more and more popularity all over the world. This tendency has several impacts on the environment and on various jobs related to electronic commerce.

The rise of online shopping is both beneficial and harmful to the environment to some extent. One obvious benefit of this trend is that it can help reduce the number of private vehicles travelling to brick-and-mortar stores since orders of customers from different locations can be grouped and delivered to homes at once. This will eventually lessen a great deal of exhaust fumes which is one of the causes of air pollution. However, if people are encouraged to shop online more, more plastic wastes will be released to the environment, especially water body such as rivers and oceans. This, as a consequence, will do harm to natural habitats of numerous marine species and worsen the problem of environmental pollution.

The growth of e-shopping has also brought both negative and positive impacts on people’s employment. On the one hand, this trend has created a variety of work opportunities for people, especially for those who major in information technology. To maintain an e-store, there will be a need for many kinds of jobs such as database administrators, web designers, delivery drivers, etc. On the other hand, when e-shopping is becoming more and more popular, an influx of people working at traditional retail stores might lose their jobs and face unemployment. This will place a huge burden on the government to create alternative jobs for these individuals, which might take a long time and require a large amount of budget.

In conclusion, online shopping impacts the environment and the labour market in both positive and negative ways.

Online Shopping is Increasing Significantly IELTS Essay

Recently, online shopping has become a hot trend. Purchasing and selling online has become popular and the services are increasing manifold. eBay and Amazon offer a wide variety of products, which we can avail from the comfort of our home. Major disadvantages included in window shopping are time-consuming, traveling to faraway shops, parking the vehicles at a time of a rush hour, etc. Online shopping has reduced these inconveniences for consumers.

While shopping online or browsing the internet, people come across a wide range of products to choose from. They are able to compare the prices and features of their choices on different websites. This helps them to make a well-thought decision. Flipkart and Jabong are two famous online shops in India. They not only provide the product description and price information but also allow comparison of products of the same category, providing customers reviews and opinions and ratings. The ordered items can be altered or canceled as per the customers’ needs. You can return or exchange the items you bought if you are not satisfied with the quality.

Shopping is considered a social experience. Certain people enjoy shopping and lingering about in the markets at leisure. Popular websites often sell things at a cheaper rate than local stores, offering attractive discount rates. This is also another reason why online shops are being preferred recently.

Online shopping is much more beneficial for customers in comparison to in-store purchasing. Since it is hassle-free, online shopping is convenient. Thus, shopping over the internet is definitely a positive trend, and will grow more popular over the years.

Online Shopping Impact on Environment IELTS Essay

The world in which we live has seen significant changes due to the advent of modern technologies such as the internet. Shopping is not an exception. These days, thanks to the development of the internet, online shopping has dramatically flourished. This essay seeks to investigate the effects of this trend on the environment and society.

While the development of internet shopping has a cascade of effects on the environment, some of them are more significant. Firstly, the number of conventional shops has dropped due to the lack of their necessity; hence, the space needed for their construction remained undeveloped. Moreover, less traveling is needed by people in order to purchase a merchandise.

Consequently, less emission is produced because of the fewer number of the vehicles on the streets; therefore, the air is less polluted. As a tangible example, studies show that in the United States alone, the tendency toward online shopping has prevented 10 million cars from leaving garages during the first three months of 2017. One can only imagine how much pollution has been averted.

The society has also been affected by this trend. First and foremost, indolence is spread. People are less active because of online shopping. The only physical activity needed is to press a button on the computer. Secondly, local commerce is negatively suffered. People prefer to buy online due to its convenience; therefore, fewer patrons visit local shops to buy products; hence, local businesses are disappearing. For example, statistic shows that after the development of online shopping, the survival rate of small businesses has dropped from 61 percent to 23 percent.

To summarize, online shopping has a plethora of effects on both our environment and our society from changing the look of surroundings and cleaning the air to rendering people lazier and jeopardizing small businesses.

IELTS Essay on Online Shopping

Despite the fact that we know what time it is on the clock, what the weather is like outside or there is a pandemic, we can conveniently buy the things we need in online stores. Very few people feel the need to take risks in stores. It cannot be denied that online shopping has become more popular and less tedious than in-store shopping. This trend has positive and negative sides, which are discussed in the following essay.

To inaugurate with, the fact that online shopping brings more benefits than shopping in a store. Firstly, it saves time for both buyers and sellers, as buyers don’t have to travel and sellers don’t have to show their products one by one to each consumer. Furthermore, they can get a perfect knock on prices and can easily compare products before pressing the buy button, which can lead to significant cost benefits for the buyers. In this manner, so people can make smarter decisions after evaluating and considering size, price and models. Also, it allows them to easily shop from any part of the world. As a result, the number of job opportunities in the future will increase as demand grows.

On the other hand, online shopping does not allow you to touch or see the product, which in fact makes it difficult to check the quality of the product, which leads to the purchase of an inferior product, and sometimes it is impossible to return or exchange the product, which in turn leads to wasted money. Another problem is that online shopping has made people compulsive shoppers. In addition, there is always the risk of financial information being obtained for use by hackers for security reasons, since there is always news of data leaks even from well-known brands and websites.

In conclusion, it can be clearly seen that although product reliability and financial risk have a certain impact on people, employment opportunities for them, especially in the field of employment, should also be considered. However, one must be careful about fraud and misrepresentation when buying from different sites.

IELTS Writing Task 2 on Online Shopping

The ubiquity of online shopping has brought with it concerns about the environment and an evolving job market. In my opinion, online shopping increases fossil fuel emissions and requires a massive, unskilled workforce for both delivery and production.

Online shopping uses fossil fuels in the making and transportation of goods. In order to manufacture a given product, such as a television, book, or bag of muesli, there is an environmental cost from sourcing and transporting all the elements, powering the factory that assembles it, and creating the plastic packaging, which is also a petroleum byproduct. In the case of a large company like Amazon, the product must be driven or flown to various centers around the country in order to be available for next-day delivery. From the storage warehouse, it is then driven or flown to the consumer who ordered it, further burning fossil fuels. The net impact on the environment is self-evidently massive and hastens climate change.

Moreover, online shopping is such a sprawling business that it manipulates the labor market. First of all, there are the workers directly involved. Deliverymen must pack, unpack and ship products while the whole operation also requires a variety of managers, foremen, and office workers. These workers are notoriously underpaid and exploited when working for the largest online retailers, who also streamline the means of production in order to offer the lowest prices. Instead of sourcing from local businesses, which would be slightly more expensive, they opt for large factories largely based in China that can cheaply and quickly produce standardized products. This requires an army of factory workers, working at low wages in unsafe conditions.

In conclusion, online shopping contributes greatly to climate change and has created deep fissures in the job market. Governments should regulate these companies before their rampant profit-driven efficiency has unforeseen social and political implications.

Also Check: Immigration has a Major Impact on Society IELTS Essay

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Is Online Shopping Bad for the Planet?

In theory, getting deliveries can be more efficient than driving to the store. But you may still want to think before you add to cart.

Credit... Naomi Anderson-Subryan

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By Dionne Searcey

Dionne Searcey is part of a rotating cast of Climate reporters and special guest writers who will answer your burning climate questions.

April 22, 2024

Q: How much do I need to worry about the impact of my online shopping?

The convenience of online shopping is hard to beat. But it uses a lot of energy and resources and can lead to more waste.

Transportation needed for online shopping spews greenhouse emissions. Three billion trees are cut down every year to produce packaging for all kinds of things, e-commerce included, according to some estimates . The data centers needed to store and retrieve orders consume about 10 times the amount of energy of a typical home and gulp precious groundwater for cooling.

Sounds bad, right? Read on.

Online shopping isn’t always the worst choice. Efficiency is a big factor.

Think of it like this: A single truck delivering orders to several homes could be less of a drain on the environment than several shoppers hopping in cars to drive to stores. That’s especially true if people group their purchases into less-frequent deliveries.

One study from M.I.T . even found that online shopping could be more sustainable than traditional shopping in more than 75 percent of scenarios that researchers came up with. Those scenarios imagined things like an online shopping experience with all-electric shipping and reduced packaging.

Online retailers and delivery companies have been trying to make online shopping more climate friendly. Some have embraced electric vehicles.

Amazon.com, for instance, has pledged to have 100,000 electric delivery vehicles on the road by 2030, a move that it says will prevent millions of metric tons of planet-warming carbon from being released into the atmosphere. UPS has plans for updating its fleet with electric vehicles, but those plans hit a snag when the company it had contracted to provide the new trucks ran into financial problems . FedEx plans to convert its entire parcel pickup and delivery fleet to E.V.s by 2040, with plans for half of its fleet to be electrified by next year.

Some companies are also experimenting with robot and drone deliveries . But there are other things to consider.

Packaging and waste are also important.

Companies like Amazon have also started to cut back on packaging, which in the early days of online shopping produced laughable mountains of boxes, Bubble Wrap and other padding for tiny items. It still happens from time to time now , even with the effort to reduce. Some companies have begun using more reusable, recyclable and even biodegradable packaging. But millions of pounds of plastic from packaging still end up in rivers, oceans and landfills.

Maybe the biggest thing: How much stuff we buy.

So, it’s complicated. But there’s one foolproof thing you can do for the planet and for your bank account: Buy less stuff.

The production and use of household goods and services are responsible for 60 percent of greenhouse gas emissions worldwide, one 2015 study found . In the United States, more than 20 percent of emissions are directly attributed to household consumption, according to researchers at the University of Michigan .

Many of those lamps, toasters, sweaters and other items are imported, arriving in the United States on carbon-emitting cargo ships or airplanes. The shipping industry alone accounts for 3 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Things to try: Buying in bulk, slow shopping and bundling orders.

Climate organizations encourage buying secondhand items or fixing the broken things you already own. An increasing number of companies offer repair services, sometimes for free. YouTube videos offer step-by-step guides for fixing a surprising number of items. Local meet-ups for mending clothing or repairing appliances are becoming a thing.

If you are going to buy stuff online, there are many ways you can make your online shopping more sustainable.

Take a minute to look at size charts and read reviews to cut back on returns. Many studies say online shoppers are five times more likely to return an item, which means a lot more transportation emissions.

If you’re ordering several items, try to group your orders into one shipment. Many companies will ask if you want to do so; don’t forget to seek out that option. The Better Business Bureau suggests buying in bulk to cut down on packaging for individual items and taking advantage of delivery to pickup locations.

Practice slow shopping . Pause and think about whether you need an item. It’s easy to get a rush from buying something new, but environmentalists suggest getting your dopamine fix from something entirely different: Try taking a walk instead.

Have a question for reporters covering climate and the environment?

We might answer your question in a future column. We won’t publish your submission without contacting you, and may use your contact information to follow up with you.

Dionne Searcey is a Times reporter who writes about how the choices made by people and corporations affect the future of the planet. More about Dionne Searcey

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Online shopping has grown rapidly in U.S., but most sales are still in stores

Woman relaxing on sofa at home and shopping online at Black Friday event and her dog sleeping around.

Thanksgiving – and, more specifically, Black Friday – is the semiofficial start of the holiday shopping season in the United States. And if history is any guide, a lot of this year’s holiday shopping will be done online, and not just on Cyber Monday .

Like retail sales generally, online shopping reliably surges in the fourth quarter of every year. In 2022, for example, online sales – or, as the U.S. Census Bureau calls them, “retail e-commerce sales” – totaled $303.1 billion in the October-December period. That was 23.4% higher than the quarterly average for the first nine months of the year, which was $245.6 billion. (Figures in this analysis are not adjusted to account for seasonal variations.)

But it’s not just the dollar volume of sales that peaks in the fourth quarter – the online share of all retail sales ticks higher at year’s end, too. In the fourth quarter of 2022, for instance, online sales accounted for 16.3% of all retail sales, compared with an average of 14.1% in the first three quarters.

The fourth quarter of 2023 could be another big one for online shopping . Through the first three quarters of the year, retail e-commerce totaled $793.7 billion, or 14.9% of all retail sales.

Related: For shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults

As the 2023 holiday shopping season begins, Pew Research Center wanted to find out just how significant online sales are as a share of total retail sales in the United States.

The primary keeper of such data is the U.S. Census Bureau, which, since 2000, has produced a quarterly report on “retail e-commerce sales.” The estimates in that report are based on the same sample of 10,800 retail firms the Census Bureau uses for its Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MRTS). The MRTS sample is weighted and benchmarked to represent the full universe of more than 2 million retail firms.

It’s important to note that bars and restaurants are not considered retailers for the purposes of the bureau’s surveys. Online travel services, ticket sellers and financial-services brokers and dealers likewise are excluded from coverage.

This analysis uses data that has not been adjusted to account for seasonal variations. Figures for the third quarter of 2023 are preliminary, based on data released Nov. 17, 2023.

Online sales have grown over time

Between 2000 and 2020, growth in online sales followed a predictable pattern. The online share of retail sales jumped in the fourth quarter and then fell back, but not all the way to where it had been. Then it jumped again, to an even higher level, in the fourth quarter of the following year.

Two line charts showing that overall online sales leaped during the pandemic and so did the online share of total sales.

By such stepwise moves, the online share of total retail sales grew from 0.7% in the fourth quarter of 1999, when the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking online sales, to 12.4% in the fourth quarter of 2019.

The COVID-19 pandemic that swept the globe disrupted that pattern, at least temporarily, beginning in early 2020. With many physical stores shuttered and millions of Americans sheltering in their homes, online sales soared. In the second quarter of 2020, for instance, e-commerce sales totaled $205.3 billion, up 55% from the $132.3 billion recorded a year earlier. In the fourth quarter of 2020, e-commerce accounted for 16.7% of all retail sales, still the record-high share.

That share fell back as stores reopened and consumers gradually resumed their old shopping habits. But the e-commerce share of all retail sales has remained well above pre-pandemic levels, suggesting that the COVID-19 outbreak gave online shopping a lasting boost. In the fourth quarter of 2022, 16.3% of retail sales were online, compared with 16.1% in 2021.

Which retailers benefit most from online sales?

The retailers that are getting the highest share of online sales tend to be those without physical stores.

Nonstore retailers , as the Census Bureau calls them, took nearly 62% of all retail e-commerce sales in the third quarter of 2023, versus just over 59% a year earlier. E-commerce sales at nonstore retailers rose 12.4% year over year, faster than the online sales sector as a whole.

Among retailers that do have physical stores, online sales rose 8.7% at general merchandise stores, 5.1% at food and beverage stores, and 4.7% at health and personal care stores. But online sales fell 1.6% at electronics and appliance stores, 3.2% at motor vehicle and parts dealers, and 16.2% at furniture and home furnishings stores.

A chart showing who gets those online shopping.

Where does Black Friday get its name?

For years, the claim circulated that Black Friday got its name because of its role in retailers’ profitability. The notion was that most retailers operated at a loss, or “in the red,” for most of the year and relied on holiday sales to become profitable, or “in the black.”

However, the actual origins appear to be more prosaic . Philadelphia police began calling the day after Thanksgiving “Black Friday” in the 1950s because the floods of holiday shoppers into downtown made their jobs extra difficult .

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Drew DeSilver is a senior writer at Pew Research Center

On alternative social media sites, many prominent accounts seek financial support from audiences

Majority of americans aren’t confident in the safety and reliability of cryptocurrency, for shopping, phones are common and influencers have become a factor – especially for young adults, payment apps like venmo and cash app bring convenience – and security concerns – to some users, 16% of americans say they have ever invested in, traded or used cryptocurrency, most popular.

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