Over the past few years, online shopping has become more familiar among people and e-commerce is also growing remarkably. When you shop online you have many advantages, but we cannot completely agree it is the best way to shop. You can also face a few drawbacks while shopping online. So, still many prefer the old traditional in-store shopping. It also has a few disadvantages. With both online shopping and in-store shopping having their own positives and negatives let us have a look into it.  

Shopping Experience

While shopping online you can shop on any part of the day. Make use of the filters and the sorting options and you can view your desired results. You can only see the product, but you cannot touch or feel it before finalizing. Your helper while picking the correct size is only the size chart.

In the case of in-store shopping, you must consider the weather before stepping out. You get the narrowed options only after you tell the shopkeeper about it and he or she must also understand it. Besides, the advantage of in-store shopping is that you can directly touch the product, check it, or even try it if you are getting a dress.

Discounts and Offers

When you shop online, you get many discounts and offers throughout the year and irrespective of festive seasons. Normally, many websites provide exclusive deals when you shop online. But you cannot get these deals in store shopping.

Instore shopping discounts are short, you get these offers before or during festive seasons. Moreover, you cannot get big deals as in online shopping.

Shipping and Delivery

Waiting for the purchased product to be delivered is a disadvantage when you buy it online. Also, few websites have a standard shipping charge.

Elsewhere, in in-store shopping, you carry the shopped item home. You need not wait and just have it for yourself immediately. Moreover, you need not pay anything extra for delivery.

Environmental Impact

Shopping online does not cause any fuel emissions as there is no need to travel. But when you receive the purchased item it comes in cardboard boxes which are completely avoided in in-store shopping. Packaging wastes especially non-biodegradable ones are concerning while shopping online.  

You travel to your favorite shop from home using any mode of transport. So, this includes the emission of gases and pollutants. In-store shopping also contributes to affecting the environment.

Payment Options

When you are shopping online you can make your payment through many gateways. You get multiple cash back offers.  Moreover, you can pay using the cashback you have earned earlier.

Not all shops have options to pay using a card while doing in-store shopping. So, you must always have some cash. You cannot avail of cashback offers in the case of traditional shopping.

‘Buy More!’ Temptation

Emails and notifications from e-commerce websites are a way of marketing. Many times, we fall prey and buy the products when we do not need them. Combo offers, brought together items are a real temptation.

But in in-store shopping, there are no spam emails or newsletters. We just go shop out what is required. There are no suggestions or recommendations in this case and so we are less tempted.

There are many differences between online shopping and in-store shopping. But customer satisfaction is important in both cases. Only when you can quickly spot the desired item on the website and have a smooth and fast checkout you visit the same e-commerce website again. Similarly, in in-store shopping, we expect cordial service from the salesperson.  Currently, with the pandemic around, people are shopping more online to avoid crowded places.

So, what do you prefer? Online shopping or in-store shopping?