When is it Best to Shop in Person?

Shopping certainly looks different today than it did twenty or thirty years ago. Gone are the days when you needed to hop in your car or run down the street to catch a bus to take you to the local mall, grocery store, or convenience store to get what you need. Today, not only can someone else do that for you, conveniently delivering your goods to your home in just a few hours, but you can head to the internet to find just about anything you can imagine. And better yet, you can often get those items delivered to you in just a few days.

With over 30.7 million online stores across the world, shopping is easier than ever. But this begs the question—when should you shop online, and when is it best to shop in person? In this article, we’ll share some tips to help you decide when to head to the World Wide Web and when to head out and visit your local brick-and-mortar location.

Online vs. In-Store Shopping: What You Should Know 

Before we get into those tips, let’s talk about why online shopping has become so popular. Aside from the fact that you can shop in your fuzzy slippers and favorite bathrobe, quick fixes and instant gratification are also in hot demand. When you hit up a local store, they might not have all the flavors, sizes, or styles you're craving, creating that big push toward online shopping.

But, let's chat numbers. An estimated 20.1% of retail purchases are predicted to happen online in 2024, and by 2027, that number is set to jump to 23%. The battleground is set – online vs. in-store shopping, and it's time to explore the ins and outs.

Online Shopping Has Some Disadvantages 

Did you notice that only one-fifth of retail purchases are expected to happen online? With so many online shops out there, that number might seem a bit lower than you expected. And there’s a good reason for that. Though online shopping can indeed be convenient, there are some pretty clear disadvantages. Let’s take a look at just what those drawbacks are. 

Tangibility 

The downside of online shopping? You can't get up close and personal with the goodies. When you're in a store, you can touch the fabrics, slip into clothes to check the fit, and even test out gadgets. 

It's not just about trying on the latest fashion trends; it's about assessing furniture's sturdiness or the texture of home decor. Whether it's a plush sofa or the perfect avocado, there are some things your fingers just need to feel. When you shop online, you need to wait for that item to arrive, and you may be disappointed in the product you actually receive.

Shipping Costs 

Shipping costs can really add up, too. 62% of shoppers won't even consider a retailer without free shipping, while 35% prefer it. 

But let's be real—not all online shops can swing the free shipping offer, especially when crossing international borders. And that's where it gets tricky. With more choices at your fingertips, it's tempting to wave off those shipping fees. Before you know it, your family budget is busted, and those "bargains" are no longer such a great deal

Risk of Online Scams 

eCommerce fraud continues to become a bigger concern with each passing year. And, online shopping can be a landmine of scams. Scammers often masquerade as legitimate online sellers, either by creating fake websites or posting counterfeit ads on real retailer sites. It's a tough nut to crack because while many online sellers are legit, these scammers exploit the internet's anonymity to con unsuspecting shoppers.

So, if you decide to shop online, you need to watch out for these red flags:

• Requests for payment via wire transfers
• Suspiciously fake websites or domains
• Dodgy links sent via text messages
• Deals that seem too good to be true
• Phony shipping alerts

Returns and Refunds 

Returns and refunds in the online shopping world can sometimes be a rollercoaster. While giants like Amazon and Zappos make it easy, not all online merchants follow suit. Returning items to digital shops might involve complex procedures and, sometimes, frustrating delays that tie up your hard-earned cash. 

When you make a return in a physical store, you leave with a clear paper trail for your credit card refund. Paying with cash? No problem—you'll walk out with your cash, right from the register.

The Advantages of In-Store Shopping

We suspect that you’ve just read through that list of disadvantages and they are resonating with you. You’ve either experienced one or more of these drawbacks yourself or heard it happen to others. And yes, while heading out to the store does mean you might want to trade those fuzzy slippers for a pair of comfortable walking shoes, there are plenty of advantages to getting off the couch. Let’s explore that a bit further. 

Experience 

In-store shopping offers a hands-on and social adventure that's hard to beat. The joy of bumping into a neighbor or a long-lost buddy in the store can be such a big bonus, especially in our screen-dominated world where we tend to keep up with friends and family on platforms like Facebook and Instagram. 

Instant Gratification

Let’s be honest. Consumers today love instant gratification. And though online shopping may seem like a reward, the truth is that you don't have to twiddle your thumbs while waiting for the package delivery person when you shop in-store. It's immediate possession of your goodies, right there and then, which is pretty darn satisfying.

Personalized Service

Salespeople are your shopping sidekicks, offering expert advice on sizing, style, and finding exactly what you're after. They can give you the lowdown on the latest trends. Plus, as you wander the racks and admire your options, you might find something you weren’t expecting. 

Easier Returns 

With online shopping, you often need to repackage your item and drop it off at an appointed location. Plus, you then need to wait for it to be received by the appropriate party before your refund is processed.

When you make a return in-store, there are no complex online processes or waiting for your money to be refunded. 

When Should You Shop at a Physical Store?

So, we’ve covered many of the drawbacks that come with shopping online. And, we’ve talked about many of the reasons you might want to head into your local store. Now, let’s summarize those key points and when it is best to shop in person.

• When you need to inspect items: Shopping in-store is best for items physically you want to touch, feel, or try on, like clothing, furniture, or that avocado we mentioned earlier. You get a real sense of quality, size, and color that can be hard to gauge online.
• When instant access matters: If you need something immediately, like an outfit for a last-minute event or supplies for an unexpected home project, in-store shopping lets you take it home right away without the wait.
• For personalized advice: In-store sales associates offer insights on products, provide recommendations, and help answer specific questions about sizing, fit, or style that online reviews may not cover.
• When returns might be involved: Returning items bought online can be complicated and time-consuming. In-store returns, on the other hand, are often straightforward and immediate. Plus, there is less need for returns in the first place when you pick out the right size and item.
• To avoid shipping costs: Shopping in-store means no added shipping expenses, which can sometimes make an affordable online item more expensive than it seems.
• To support local businesses: Shopping at nearby stores contributes to the local economy.

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