The rise of the internet has brought about a huge change in consumer buying habits, with more and more people shopping online for everything from clothes and electronics to national tattoo supplies. People all over the world are realizing online shopping can often get them a better deal than visiting a real-world brick and mortar store. So, how is it that online shopping is able to give such a good deal?
Rent and Property Costs
Brick-and-mortar stores — by definition — must pay for a physical shop for customers to visit as well as staff to help them when they shop, clean the store and restock the shelves. All of these costs end up driving the price that the customer pays for the product. Online stores need nothing more than a website, a storage space and staff to handle shipping – with less overhead costs, they can offer the same product at a lower price.
Cutting Out the Middleman
Online shopping also allows customers to deal directly with the manufacturer of a product or the importer of a foreign good. Rather than having to pay for both the original cost of the product and the manufacturer’s profit margin, selling in retail stores requires they also make a profit. Who pays the difference? The consumer. Buying direct is easier than ever with online shopping, leading to cost savings for the consumer.
Easy Comparison
When you find a product you like in a retail store, you must either buy it or visit other stores to see if you can get a better deal. Many people simply do not have the time for this kind of research. Online shopping makes comparing products and prices easy, simple and quick. Comparing prices can often end in you finding something cheaper and the fact that comparing products online is so easy puts pressure on sellers to offer the best price possible rather than taking advantage of the fact you may not have much time before you need the product. Consumers have more paying power!
Other Benefits
Of course, the cost advantage is just one of the benefits of online shopping. Shopping on the web means you are not restricted to the products that are available in your local stores. You can also shop at a time that is convenient to you, not restricted by the opening hours of shops.
In addition online shopping is wonderful for those with mobility issues, such as the elderly, the disabled and those who do not have easy access to transportation. Then there is the ease of searching for the product you want, so rare and specialty products are easier to find and buy. The internet has revolutionized how we shop!
