Online+Shopping

toc =Introduction=

[|Amazon.com], [|eToys.com], [|Dell.com] are some of the most globally recognized stores today and yet they do not exist in any geographic space. They profited and succeeded to the extent where almost all well-known retailers launched an “e-store” version of their built store. [|Walmart.com], [|Chapters.ca], [|Canadiantire.ca] are slight examples of this trend. The convergence of World Wide Web and consumerism has been the key catalyst for one of the most popular on-line activities: on-line shopping. But what makes it so popular?

Accessibility, speed, choice and purchasing power play a major role in rendering the enormous success of on-line shopping.However there have been many concerns and controversies regarding on-line shopping.

=**Accessibility**=

In 1998 on-line retail sales exceeded to $7.2 billion which doubles the amount made in 1997(Rifkin 2004, p.34). The main question that needs to be addressed regarding the figures is examine the initial factor that made online shopping is adopted, accepted and popular within our culture. The accessibility and convenience that on-line shopping offers is incomparable to conventional shopping. Traditional shopping requires us to depart our home and travel to the actual store. Cyber-shopping will take us to the store but at the comfort of our home. The elderly and disabled benefit greatly from the ease of on-line shopping since some have trouble accessing built shopping centers. A survey conducted in 2000 typified that 38% of seniors on Web were involved in on-line shopping. By 2004 the figure increased to 49% (Tedeschi, 2004).

=Speed=

In today's world people have busy lives and little time. On-line shopping breaks time barriers and allows people to shop at their own pace. On-line shopping operates 7 days a week, 24 hours a day. According to [|IMRG] on-line shopping is typically six times faster than a trip to the traditional shopping destinations (M2 Presswire. 2003). On-line shopping enables people to save more time, they become less stressful and as a result appreciate the time saving that on-line shopping associates them with.

=Choice and purchasing power=

On-line shopping allows one to visit multiple stores instantaneously to compare prices or read reviews. This is typical in cyber- shopping yet impossible in traditional shopping. On-line shopping associates consumers with the freedom to perform a deep analysis and research regarding the product being purchased. [|Amazon.com] this trend by posting reviews and ratings by on-line users ( Miller, 2004).On-line shopping offers variety that is simply impossible in traditional stores (Postrel 2004, 2). The flexibility of virtual store hour allows buyers to go shopping at their preferred time.(ie: 3 am in the morning)

=Benefits to sellers=

E-stores associate many advantages to buyers. But what benefits do they serve to the sellers. An underlying benefit for sellers is that the products displayed on their websites may prompt people to make in store purchases (Sneddon, 2004). For stores that only function on-line it allows them to reduce costs with regard to employing staff maintenance, and rental fees (Sneddon, 2004). [|Dell.com] fits this pattern where most computers are sold via the Internet.

=Concerns=

Privacy and security of on-line shopping causes concerns for many users. According to Reda 69% of Internet shoppers felt that online retailers should do more to make them feel secure (2004).Since credit card is the main method of payment a lot of people are hesitant to share their credit card number on-line. The freedom and simplicity of on-line shopping can also cause addiction and credit debts when people shop anytime without an immediate payment. Online shopping must rely on technology. Without computers or internet usage, online shopping will not be available, digital divide would also be a great concern. Retailers try to maintain personal information private and secure since costumer trust is essential to their sales ( Camp, 2001).

also see: E-commerce
 * [|Safety while shopping online:]**
 * Use a secure browser that complies with industry security standards, such as Secure Sockets Layer (SSL). These help to secure your transaction by scrambling purchase information.
 * Shop with companies that are well known and reliable. Do not buy from unknown companies. If you’re not familiar with a comapny, ask for a brochure or an information package to get a better idea of their products and services.
 * Keep your password(s) private. Never give away your password(s) and avoid using passwords that would be easy to guess by others.
 * Pay by credit or charge card. If you pay by credit or charge card online, your transaction will be protected by the Fair Credit Billing Act.
 * Keep a record of all the transactions. Make sure you print a copy of your order and the confirmation number.
 * Risks Of Online Business:


 * The effects of the dot-com boom and its swift bust are still etched in the memories of those who invested into ICT companies. Many people today are still uncertain of investing in the ICT sector. The uncertainties surrounding e-commerce have caused investors to adopt a "wait and see attitude". Online business has already been dominated by larger firms who are well established, thus discouraging smaller firms from penetrating into the online market. The costly nature of conducting safe and reliable business online has prevented smaller firms from implementing e-commerce stategies. Smaller businesses are generally interested in quick returns and short-term investments. Long-run e-business applications are too costly.

=Work Cited=

Dell Inc. 2004. [|www.dell.com], (accessed Feb. 11, 2006).

Ghosh, A. K. 2001. //E-Commerce security and privacy//. Boston: Kluwer Academic Publishers, ISBN 0-7923-7204-2.

Hof, R. D. 2001. //Business Week: cut back now; Bricks and-mortar retailers are finding that online visits boost in-store sales.// http://http://www.businessweek.com/@@f66EwYQQEbzRhw0A/magazine/content/01_40/b3751628.htm, (accessed Feb13, 2006).

Michael, Miller (2004). //Bargain Hunter's Secrets to Online Shopping//. Indianapolis, IN Pearson Education, Inc. ISBN: 0-78973-2017, (accessed Feb 11, 2006). M2 Presswire. 2003. //IMRG: Christmas shopping is four times faster online than on the high street.// [|http://www.imrg.org/IMRG/press.nsf/%28httpPressReleases%29/136E31FC2C76909D80256DEA0044CCDB], (accessed Feb 16, 2006).

Postrel, V. 2004. //The New York Times: Selection ranks above price among the benefits of online shopping////.//http://www.dynamist.com/articles-speeches/nyt/internetvariety.html, (accessed Feb 10, 2006).

Reda, S. 2004. Stores: //It Clicks!: Sales and profitability rise for online retailers//. ISBN: 0-3211-27072 (accessed Feb 20, 2006).

Senddon Juliet ( 2004). Online shopping. http://wiki.mediaculture.org.au/index.php/Online_Retail, (accessed Feb 10, 2006)

Tedeschi. 2004. //The New York Times: No longer a niche marketing outlet, the internet is now attracting shoppers from almost all walks of life//. ISBN 1-5744-43240, (accessed Feb 12, 2006).

Federal Trade Comission for the User. "Shopping Online Safety". March 2004. Date of retrieval: 23rd February, 2006. http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/online/cybrsmrt.htm