Dulcé Sloan and Josh Johnson discuss the pros and cons of online vs. in-store shopping, including the lack of impulse buys online and the convenience of unlocked products. They also explore the economic impact of online shopping and the science of pheromones and attraction.
Online shopping offers convenience and accessibility, allowing for easy comparison of products and notifications for back-in-stock items.
In-store shopping provides a tactile and immersive experience, with immediate gratification and better customer service.
Deep dives
The convenience of online shopping
Online shopping offers convenience and accessibility. With online stores, there is no need to physically visit a brick-and-mortar store, and you can shop from the comfort of your own home. You can browse through a wide variety of products, compare prices, and make purchases with just a few clicks. Online shopping also eliminates the need to deal with crowded stores or wait in long checkout lines. Additionally, online stores often provide recommendations and notifications, helping you find products you may like or alerting you when items are back in stock.
The benefits of in-store shopping
In-store shopping provides a tactile and immersive experience. Being able to touch and feel the products before purchasing can be important, especially for items like clothing or furniture. In-store shopping also allows for immediate gratification, as you can walk out of the store with your purchases immediately. Furthermore, brick-and-mortar stores usually offer better customer service, with knowledgeable staff who can assist you in finding the right products and answer any questions you may have. In-store shopping also supports local businesses and provides a sense of community.
Concerns with online shopping
One of the main concerns with online shopping is the potential risk of personal and financial information being compromised. There have been instances of data breaches and hacking, leading to the theft of credit card information. Online shoppers may also face challenges with returns and customer service, as some online retailers have limited or impersonal support. Another drawback is the inability to physically try on or examine products before purchasing, which can lead to disappointment if the item doesn't meet expectations.
Drawbacks of in-store shopping
In-store shopping can be time-consuming, especially during peak hours or busy shopping seasons. It may involve dealing with crowded stores, long lines at checkout, and parking challenges. Additionally, brick-and-mortar stores may have limited stock and variety compared to online retailers. Finding specific products or sizes in-store can be more difficult, and they may not always have the convenience of online features like price comparison and customer reviews. Lastly, in-store shopping often lacks the convenience and flexibility of online shopping, as it requires physically going to different locations.
“If I'm on the internet, I'm not going to see these little impulse buys. I'm not going to see this pack of gum at the register. There's no pack of gum at the register in an online store.” - Dulcé Sloan
“An online store will tell you up top - the thing you want, we ain't got any. The one you like, it's not here. We'll send you an email when it gets here, but for today, don't waste your time." - Josh Johnson
It’s online vs. In-store shopping this week on Hold Up with Daily Show correspondent Dulcé Sloan and writer Josh Johnson.