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Introduction to Shopping

Have  you ever wondered what shopping in the past was like, when there was no internet or online shopping? In the modern world, we have the internet and online shopping. But shopping in the past was very different from right now. In the past shopping was mainly at the mall and was an event, where you went out with your friends or family and tried on things until you find the product you want. But this might soon be a thing of the past, because malls are going down because of online shopping. In the future, malls could be gone and shopping will turn into a transaction-less experience. Shopping used to be an event that needed to be planned, but now people use online shopping more, and shopping will  evolve into an event you can do easily at home.

What did shopping in the past look like?

Shopping in the past  needed to be planned, and customers  shopping pattern was easy to see, because they were loyal to the store. Shopping in the past was way more simpler than modern shopping. In 1900-1920, the concept of one stop shopping didn’t exist yet. Instead of going to H&M, in one big store, people used department stores and malls, in one standalone building. Mom and pop stores were common, which was a small independent business that were usually family owned. Personalization for each customers we’re very simple, because there  was no technology that could collect such data. So it was easier for vendors to find out the customers shopping pattern, because often the customers were loyal to the stores. Advertisements were  different too, where shops posted ads on local TV’s, hoping that the customers will like it, whereas right now the Ads are in social media, personalized by what you buy. Overall, shopping in the  past was very different from what we have right now, and customer service and personalization was simpler.  

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How has shopping evolved?

Online Shopping has affected individuals to use more apps and technology and it has evolved to be a transaction-less experience. From VOA learning English; a website for English vocabulary ,Americans buy more products through internet then malls and department stores, and 57% of Americans have bought something electronically online. Right now, online sales represent as much as one tenth  of all retail sales in the US. Certainly,  online sales are really leading the shopping community, and shopping has really evolved.  For example, now there is a 24 hour running global shopping festival called; 11.11 global shopping festival. In this shopping festival, shoppers can go buy any  product they want, up to 70% off. Shoppers can also scan the bar-codes of clothing they want in the store, then buy it online. They can also get more discounts by playing games, and doing challenges. The products the customers buy, come afterwards,  and it’s a very easy and new way of shopping.  

How has shopping affected other businesses

Shopping has affected other businesses in a negative way, and if  businesses want to improve, they must think of a way to make customers come to their stores. As  you know, online shopping is getting  a big lead in the shopping community. However, online shopping has been affecting other businesses in a negative way. Malls are one of them, and 15% of malls are expected to fail. Now that online shopping is very popular, we don’t see teenagers hanging around malls, like in the movies or shows. As you can see, malls are becoming a thing of the past. Shop owners and retailers worry that online sales will hurt their businesses. However there is still hope for malls and shop owners. For example, stores can start selling products that are hard to ship, like furniture. Stores can also sell things that customers want to try on, like  clothes. Another idea that stores have, is repairing electronic products. Stores can also start posting ads online, to persuade the customers to come to their store. 

How will shopping in the future look like?

Shopping in the future will change in three main areas: customer service, transaction-less experience, and sustainability. In the future, shopping will be a fast thing you can do at your house. 3d printers will print your clothes at home, and shoppers will be able to buy and download clothes and print them at home easily. The printed pieces of clothes will connect like a puzzle piece, and filament, which is a strong but very flexible material will be used to make these clothes. Also customers could change the design and the size of their devices and get it personalized. As you can see, customer experience increases in the future, and shopping becomes a transaction-less experience. Sustainability will increase, because of  trends on social media, like the “save the turtles” trend and things like that. Shopping in the future will become something that is easy, fast and personalized.

How will shopping evolve?

Shopping in the past was simpler and malls and department stores might become a thing of the past, because of  online shopping and it will evolve into a fast event that you can get done in no time. In the future, malls will be a thing of the past because of online shopping and online shopping will be the most popular way to buy products. Shopping will evolve into a transaction-less experience, where shoppers can buy things quickly at home. I think that in the future shoppers, especially to the younger customers, Eco-friendly products will be more popular because of ‘trends’. I hope that in that even in the future shopping can be a fun and enjoyable for everyone. I think that shopping is a fun experience, and it is exciting to see how shopping will evolve.