Shopping used only to mean going to the malls and department stores to buy clothes, shoes, household tools, and many more. However, that’s not the case today.
With the emergence of e-commerce and online shopping in the Philippines, like Shopee, Lazada, Temu, and Zalora, a lot has changed in how businesses conduct their transactions to sell their products and how customers look for the items they want to buy.
In this article, let’s look at how online shopping and in-store (physical) shopping differ, as well as their advantages and disadvantages.
In-Store Shopping and Online Shopping
The primary difference between in-store and online shopping is how you buy (or sell) products. For in-store shopping, you must go to a physical store (also called a brick-and-mortar store).
On the other hand, online shopping, as its name suggests, is done through an Internet-connected device, either through your computer or a mobile app.
But how do they differ? What are the advantages and disadvantages of going to physical stores when doing your shopping?
Advantages of In-Store Shopping
There is someone who will assist you
Salespeople are usually experts on their brands and will try to help you as much as possible. Though they can be pushy or intimidating at times, it’s great to know that you have someone willing to help you. This is even more important for older people who can no longer navigate online shopping stores and will depend on people to help them.
You can try the items yourself
One of the biggest advantages of in-store shopping is that you can try clothes and shoes and see how they fit and suit you. You can also test gadgets, appliances, and other items to ensure they work properly before buying them.
No delivery waiting time
If you’re shopping in-store, you don’t have to think about delays with delivery. After trying out your items, you can immediately pay and take the item home with you.
No more added costs
Since you’re buying in physical stores, you only have to pay what’s written on the tag price. You don’t have to worry about additional costs, like shipping and other fees, that will usually be added when shopping online.
It’s easier to return your items
If you bought something defective or flawed and want to return it, it is easier to return your items because you know exactly where you purchased them. You also can avoid the troubles of going through different stages of the return process and refunding.
You can get more steps
An indirect advantage of going to physical stores is that you will be forced to walk and add a few thousand steps to your daily fitness record while window shopping instead of just sitting while scrolling through your phone while shopping online.
Disadvantages of In-Store Shopping
You must physically go out to shop
When going to the physical store, you’ll have to get dressed and consider many things, like location, commute, and parking. You will also have to join the crowd while shopping. There is also the risk of spending more than needed, like eating out.
Your choices are limited by the store’s stocks
Another disadvantage of doing in-store shopping is you’ll have fewer options because you can only choose from their current inventory. For instance, they have a clothing style that you like, but they don’t have your size. In that case, you can’t do anything, and you’ll have to find another store that sells it.
You’ll have to consider the mall hours
If you’re shopping in-store, you must check when they open or close. You can’t expect shopping centers and malls to be open very early in the morning or very late at night.
Waiting in line
During peak hours and busy seasons, you can expect that there will be a lot of people shopping and looking around. The check-out counter lines will also be unusually long, so you must be more patient while waiting your turn.
You can’t easily compare prices between stores
Another big disadvantage of in-store shopping is comparing similar products with other stores. So, if you’re looking at a pair of pants and want to check if another store’s prices are lower, you’ll have to transfer to another location just to check prices. Then you’ll have to decide if you’ll want to travel back and forth from store to store in search of the best prices.
Discounts are seasonal
Though physical stores offer discounts and sales, like during the holiday season, back-to-school period, and mid-year sales, they don’t have a lot of huge sales and discounts you can expect from online shopping stores throughout the year.
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Advantages of Online Shopping
Online shopping is very convenient
You can shop anytime and anywhere, as long as you have an Internet connection. You don’t have to think about the opening and closing hours of shopping malls. You also don’t have to think about the travel time, traffic, the weather, parking, and many nuisances you’ll encounter during physical shopping.
You can avoid the crowds
This has been the best advantage of online shopping during the three years of the pandemic – you don’t have to mix with the crowd. And if you’re an introvert who doesn’t like to be talked to by salespeople, then online shopping is right for you.
You have a lot of choices
Unlike traditional shopping, online shopping apps have a lot of sellers to choose from, so you can almost always find what you’re looking for. Many large businesses have also transitioned and developed online shops to bring their brands closer to customers.
Sales and discount coupons
The best thing about online shopping is its frequent sales and discount coupons. You also don’t have to wait six months for another sale because they do it every month, with an ultra-sale happening every November 11 (11-11). Some e-commerce apps even allow discount coupons to stack so that you can lower the prices of your items even further.
Privacy on what you’re adding to cart
Another good thing about online shopping is that you can discretely add items to your cart that you may be embarrassed to show in public.
Easier to compare prices
With just a click of a button, you can see a selection of sellers selling the same item at different prices, so you can easily scan each shop based on their prices. Just watch out for fraudulent sellers.
You can spot rare products
How often have you seen an item that you didn’t know existed, but you know you needed? That’s one great thing about online shopping: there is a wide variety of items with different functionalities for your diverse needs. So, it’s unsurprising for many people to get hooked on online shopping.
Disadvantages of Online Shopping
You don’t know if what you bought is what you’ll really get
Since you’re buying online, you won’t have the advantage of someone assisting you in your buying process. You also can’t check or test if the item that will arrive at your door is fully functional and without any damage.
Delays in your purchase
Though there are now one-day deliveries in major cities, that is not the case for the rest of the country. There are some locations where you’ll have to wait a little longer than expected, especially if your package is coming from abroad.
Additional fees
One of the biggest disadvantages of online shopping is additional fees, like shipping and taxes, not initially included in the tag price. Then you’ll be surprised to find additional hundreds of pesos worth of extra costs during your check-out.
Returning an item can be a hassle
If you find yourself receiving a broken item and you must return it, it can be a hassle since you’ll need to request to return your item. Then, you’ll also need to prove that it’s the seller’s fault before you can ship it back. It becomes even harder to return big or heavy items because you’ll have to transport them.
Fraud and scam risks
Another disadvantage of shopping online is that fake sellers use e-commerce platforms to exploit unsuspecting buyers. They may send wrong items, counterfeit items, and misrepresented items. There are also security risks if you’re not careful with disposing of your shipping labels.
Online shopping and in-store shopping have their pros and cons. One advantage of shopping online can be a disadvantage of in-store shopping or vice versa.
So, it’s important to know your priority when buying stuff. Is it speed of delivery, low prices, convenience, avoiding crowds, ease of transaction, and other things? Once you identify your priorities, you can align your shopping process.
You can also mix the best of both worlds. For instance, you can try a dress or a shoe in the physical store and feel its fittings. Then, you can buy it online with discount coupons and free delivery.
How about you? What do you prefer, in-store or online shopping?