Date: Wednesday, November 8, 2006
High street versus the Internet for shopping
The Internet has changed the way we communicate, the way we flirt and date, and most of all, the way we shop.
However, is this good for the local shops and high street shopping?
Tesco and other leading supermarkets have revolutionised the way we shop for groceries and food.
Weekly shopping can now be delivered to your door within 36-hours for as little as a five pound delivery charge.
With this ease in shopping, supermarkets have reduced the need to get in your car and travel to the supermarket, do the weekly shop and stand around in a queue while the person in front counts the copper to lighten the purse a little.
Is it much different for clothes shopping and non-food shopping?
More and more websites offering great deals on clothing and electronics seem to appear on search engines every day. You may already know the likes of Woolworths, Argos and the Link from the high street, but what about the local shops and stores on the high street? Are they online too?
Safety and security
Many people still find it hard to believe that shopping on the Internet is safe, but with advances in secure technology, the Internet now offers security to the level of high street shopping.
Prices
Most high street shops find it difficult to compete with online stores selling competitive goods. However, people still value face-to-face contact and the ability to ‘try before you buy’, so there is still a lot to be said for the traditional shopping method.
Customer service
As we all face problems with products bought at some point in our lives, we understand that customer service is key issue when buying goods.
Trading Standards for the UK says that ‘some of the biggest names in retailing are not getting their customer service right’,1 which is a worrying sign that some of these companies are not giving Internet consumers the same quality of service as smaller high street stores.
The main argument against Internet shopping is that local shops will end up bankrupt due to poor sales.
This argument, however, can be used in the same way as physical competition moving into the same area as the local shop.
Imagine a small company, selling ethical body products, is based on your local high street.
A while after the business has developed and has acquired a good amount of customers, the Body Shop sets-up an outlet nearby.
Customers may choose to shop at the Body Shop due to its national name, but some may choose to stay at the smaller business.
Equally, the Internet has the same effect on high street companies. Customers may shop elsewhere, but they may not too.
As retail giants grow, the service offered becomes less personal in most circumstances and so consumers may choose to shop locally.
Christmas shopping
During the Christmas period, shops take on extra staff to cope with the high volume of shoppers.
It may be a nightmare trawling through stores right up until Christmas Eve, searching for that perfect present, but at least you know the gifts are available on time, ready for Christmas day.
Trading Standards
An online survey operated by Trading Standards found that nearly 40%1 of products ordered during a test purchase did ‘not arrive on time’.1
17% of products1 were not delivered at any point after ordering.
Trading Standards offers a free booklet regarding shopping on the Internet, giving the following advice:1
- Look around other sites before final purchases.
- Make sure you know enough about the company.
- Be aware of products from abroad; electricals may be for EU or international sockets and clothing may be different from UK sizes.
- The ability to know when the product will be delivered and what the costs will be is important.
- Do not purchase products that are too expensive from outside the EU, this will help reduce possible risks if something unforeseen happens.
- Make sure print a copy of the order receipt. It may also be good to print the product details, to use against any discrepancies.
- Paying by credit card means that if something goes wrong, the credit card company will offer guarantees or support with improper sales. It is highly recommended.
- Use only secure sites, and when placing your order, limit the amount of personal information you disclose.
- Online auctions and private sales mean you have fewer rights
- If it is too good to be true, then it probably is!
1 BBC News, Business ‘Net shopping 'pitfalls' warning’ at:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/965243.stm
(22 Sep 06)
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