The Impact of the Internet on the Shopping Experience

The impact of the internet on the shopping experience has implications for the main streets of small cities and towns can be positive when the merchants embrace the new system of domestic procurement and work with the new technology rather than fighting it. The growth of internet shopping combined with neighborhood schools and parks and home entertainment is keeping people closer to home. Two reactions may follow the growth of internet shopping. First, small cities and towns can serve as the outlets for internet retailers by providing show rooms for consumer goods in a setting that is entertaining, pleasant and mixed use. Shopping is still a “recreation” activity and entertainment. Window shopping and browsing on a great main street after lunch or dinner can be fun. Feeling and seeing merchandise prior to purchase will always have a place for all but the most basic commodities. Second, internet shopping reduces the need to travel for the purchase of many goods enabling families to spend more time closer to home doing family and neighborhood activities.[embeddoc url=”https://www.charactertowns.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/08/On-line-v-in-store-shopping-8.3.16.pdf” width=”100%” download=”all” viewer=”google”]