The Shallows asks us a simple question, “Is the Internet changing the way we think?” It goes on to assert that it is. My proposal is to explore how the Internet is changing the way we shop, and how the Internet is changing the business environment for stores. Is it essential to have a website to succeed? Do you have to have a Twitter & Facebook page for your business? The Internet has had profound effects on retail stores in the United States. Just recently Border’s books, one of the nation’s largest book retailers, declared bankruptcy, blamed largely upon the rise of Amazon. The online space of E-commerce is eating away at many traditional “brick & mortar” businesses. Online shopping’s growth seems limitless, but there are in fact obstacles. American’s insistence on “instant gratification” allows local stores to capture some sales due to shipping times. Also, many want to touch what they are buying. Clothing stores allow customers to try on clothes before they buy, whereas online retailers cannot offer such service. However, some customers are using traditional stores as an “showrooms” where they can more easily test products before they ultimately buy online.
I may narrow my proposal in the next few days, but I will definitely stick to shopping online. Maybe I will focus more on the online business’ point of view.
I like that you’re taking a much more specific approach to this project. I also like that it isn’t directly stated in the book so it gives the whole project an interesting twist already. I think focusing on the clothing industry would be really interesting. Would we prefer the facility of buying clothes from the comfort of our homes or do we need to physically be in the store to try them on? Personally, I’ve learned I can’t shop for clothes online. This dress might look great on the model and that shade of purple might be nice but when I receive the article of clothing in the mail, the dress makes me look frumpy, and the purple looks more like a navy blue than a royal purple. The clothes isn’t what I wanted it to be. Now I have to ship it back, pay more, and hope that I’ll be satisfied with the next thing I plan to order. Perhaps even gearing this question towards women and their online shopping habits would be even more interesting. Just a thought, but I think this proposal has great potential and I’m excited to see how it develops.
I forgot to comment on the links but they all look like more than reliable resources for research. I know Professor Smith said she would discuss in class which websites we should stay away from but, I don’t see any of these being a problem. Again, I’m excited to see how this project develops!
Zappos is an interesting business model for apparel: free shipping and free returns. Eliminates the guess work! Companies have to be creative in these ways. Returns are expensive with some sites, and are reason for hesitation. Though I agree with what you say about using brick and mortar shops as showrooms (or dressing rooms), and then buying online. Whenever I’m shopping with my husband, if I see something I want or think we should consider buying (not clothing, he doesn’t get involved in that, but household items or things for the child, etc), he immediately takes a picture of it or scans the barcode and goes online on his phone. We’re still in the actual store, mind you, and he’s shopping for the very product for a better price online. He’s certainly not the only consumer who works like this. In the recent storm, the power surge when our power was restored damaged the control panels of our microwave and fridge. The repairmen for the fridge quoted us one price on the part we needed to replace, and a week wait, and my husband found it online cheaper and got it shipped overnight. It’s an interesting phenomenon. I often wonder how any brick and mortar store can compete with Amazon and eBay and all the others. Jacky’s point about women is a good one, though, because many of use like the social or “in-store” experience of shopping. Unlike my husband, I still buy things in stores. The PSYCHOLOGY of consumerism seems to be at issue here, and is something you might consider (and it plays into eBay in very specific ways, since there’s the psychology of the bid and the idea that you “win” the “auction”).
This is really interesting, and I love how focused it is. You’re definitely on to something that will give you a concentrated and fascinating paper. This is also a topic that will reel in the reader, because who doesn’t shop online at one point or another? Personally, I was kind of upset when Borders went bankrupt because I prefer paper to a screen. We are in the process of moving away from books, though, and anyone who feels this way will just have to adapt. I think the Internet can be very beneficial to businesses, and I look forward to seeing how you handle this topic. Great idea!
I too like this project, I guess I am an old fashioned shopper and would prefer to go to a store and pick it up. Well… It depends on the product but I normally like to go to a store. If a price is much cheaper online then obviously I wont waste the money at the store. I personally favor holding the actual product in my hand before I purchase it. Sometimes I’ll even go to a store, fiddle with the product a little bit and then go home and order it online. It makes me feel like I am making a wiser buying choice. And yes, Amazon is where I do most (if not all) of my online shopping. Even as a consumer that does not purchase many items, Amazon is a go-to place. I’d even rather buying hard copy books from there rather than going to a Barnes and Noble because of the price difference. However, I think you should acknowledge (like Jacky and Professor Smith talked about) the products that you really shouldn’t buy online. Like jeans (if you’re a guy), suits, etc. All in all I like the project and good luck.
I think is this a really good idea. This is a more unique approach, as you target how the Internet affects us on one specific point. I do most of my shopping online, and I never really thought about why or what effects this would have on me. It’s clear to see how most stores have moved from a storefront to an online store, how many stores have all of these online-only deals and sales, and of course the approaching Black Friday and Cyber Monday will give you something interesting to talk about!
Ιt’s enormous that you are getting ideas from this article as well as from our discussion made at this place.
The internet shoppers generally shop based on price, this is causing retailers both large and small to compete price wise and keep reducing prices, this is something that due to overheads traditional stores cannot compete with.
Profits are getting squeezed and squeezed which is good for the consumer but in the long term will be severely detrimental to the economy.
Paul [Ecommerce fulfilment services]