A highly debated on topic, there are many pros and cons to both types of shopping experiences – online and in-store buying. Below, there are brief discussions on the advantages and disadvantages of both.
Online Shopping
In the past 10 years, there has been so much change in the online shopping experienced by customers that almost 1 in every 3 shoppers is buying online. This is because you have extremely quick searching options and can look through hundreds and thousands of stores to find the perfect piece of clothing for the perfect price. If you do the same action physically, it can take you days, even weeks to look through all these stores and find the most appropriate option – not to forget all the fatigue, gas, parking hassle and other duties you will have to sacrifice. With online shopping, all you have to do is type in a few words and the internet will do all the searching. Within a few seconds, you can get your desired product and have it delivered to your doorstep while you remain in the comfort of your home. In fact, online stores have started to provide a size chart for each piece of clothing so that you won’t be stuck with something that is too tight or too loose for your body. So basically, the two main and biggest advantages of online shopping include convenience and selection.
In-Store Shopping
With online shopping, all you get to see is a model wearing the clothes – sometimes not even that – and you aren’t able to tell how the clothes actually look on you. And the model might not even have the same body shape as you which can mislead you into buying something that will not complement your body and may highlight all the wrong curves. When you opt for an in-store shopping experience, you can try out as many clothes as you want to find the perfect fit and perfect design that compliments your body perfectly. And another thing that online shopping misses out on is the actual shopping experience itself. Nothing is more satisfying than carrying all those newly purchased items in branded bags to tell the world where you’ve been shopping. Also, shopping is the perfect hangout when you’re out with your girlfriends and it can make you a whole lot more relaxed and happier. It’s the perfect follow-up activity after a lunch date.
What’s more, with online shopping you can’t get a feel of the material and you cannot distinguish poor quality from good quality. A good picture taken from the right angles can make any product look good. In-store shopping provides customers with a first-hand experience which they can use to distinguish between materials and choose the perfect one.
Then again, there are pros and cons to almost everything. Whether you opt for online shopping on in-store shopping, is completely dependent on you and your lifestyle.