Online shopping is now replacing shopping in the store. Do you think it is a positive or negative development?
线上取代线下商店很可能是消极发展
In many instances, online shopping is now replacing traditional store shopping which is viewed positively and negatively. Although the benefits of online shopping are indeed understandable, it is my feeling that replacing in-store shopping will ultimately be a negative development.
On the one hand, the comfort offered by online shopping is obvious. Firstly, people can read reviews on the items they wish to purchase and can compare prices from a variety of source online.
Furthermore, consumers can order and receive products, often at prices which are similar or lower than retail outlets, without even leaving their homes. Therefore, the convenience of online shopping is evident.
On the other hand, online stores are causing traditional stores to close, and this is leading to job losses. The low barriers to entry in creating an e-commerce store are making it difficult for retailers to compete. For example, the amount of bookstores closing in the US is directly due to online competition. Therefore, the rise in online shopping is causing massive amounts of stores to close which is a negative development.
Additionally, retail stores offer advantages that are unmatched by e-commerce sites. Importantly, retail stores provide a hands-on approach that allows people to touch, feel, and demonstrate the product. For example, if a person is interested in purchasing a smartphone and they are not sure how it works, a salesperson can assist them, leading to positive customer experiences. By contrast, ordering online means that customers do not have exposure to the goods and may often be disappointed with the quality which degrades the customer experience.
In conclusion, there are valid reasons why online shopping is positive. But I believe that the job losses caused by online shopping and the lack of customer experience it offers, mean that it is overall an unfavorable development in shopping.