From clothes to food, and even cars, the internet has completely changed the way people shop. Since the early 2000s, technology has grown rapidly, and almost everyone has access to the internet through their phones, tablets, and computers. People can even pay from their own phone using Apple Pay, saving time and making shopping more convenient. Social media has also become a major part of everyday life, constantly showing advertisements, influencer promotion, and product reviews that influence what people decide to buy. For example, a local gym may advertise new equipment, new pricing, or group fitness classes that pique customer interest.

With online shopping, purchases are delivered straight to homes. Moreover, online shopping provides an added layer of comfort by allowing customers to compare prices, search for brands, and read reviews before purchasing a product. 

However, the rise of online shopping has caused problems for physical retail stores. Malls and department stores have struggled to keep customers, and some have even been forced to shut down, including the recent demolition of the Chesterfield Mall. Even though online shopping offers speed and convenience, in-person shopping still has important advantages. Customers can try on clothes, check product quality, and take their products home immediately. There is also a social experience that comes with shopping at a mall or store. Whether shoppers are with friends, family or even alone, shopping is a unique and fun time to add items to a collection or just browse. Although online shopping continues to grow, neither option is truly better than the other. It simply depends on what the consumer values the most. 

Online shopping

Online commerce increased rapidly during the COVID-19 pandemic, as people were not allowed to leave their houses. Since the end of the pandemic, people have been able to return to their normal lives, yet businesses providing essential services, such as Instacart, are still extremely relevant. These platforms are still used by tens of millions of people who don’t want to leave their house when they don’t have to. Instacart users place grocery orders online to have them delivered to their door, hoping to receive quality products. Aside from groceries, individuals can place online orders for clothes, jewelry or even cars. 

“I love to shop online because it’s really easy and you can actually find [items] online that [aren’t available] in the store, which is a huge positive for me,” senior Logan Scissors said.

Shopping online is efficient and benefits most consumers, but in some cases, it can be an unreliable way to get items. For clothing and jewelry, if you have not seen the item in person, it may not look or fit as it appears online. In fact, 30% of items ordered online may arrive in a size too small or too large. For some, items even come in a completely different color than what was ordered. 

“If you are willing to take the time to compare prices at multiple online stores, then yes, you could save money. But not all deals are deals. Also, you have to consider additional fees, such as shipping,” business and marketing teacher Andy Croley said.

Another issue with online shopping is porch pirates — people who steal delivered packages from customers’ porches. After items are delivered to customers, porch pirates may steal items for themselves. This is a critical issue in the delivery industry and will continue to be until a solution is found. Currently, many delivery workers take pictures of a package on a customer’s doorstep after delivery, creating some sense of security, but no package is truly protected from theft. 

“I have had an order that I got taken by a porch pirate before, and it was a huge hassle to get the item I ordered again, and I saw on my Ring [Doorbell that] someone just nabbed it,” Scissors said.

Not only does online shopping create delivery issues, but it also raises ethical concerns in manufacturing. Companies like SHIEN and Nike are notorious for requiring dangerous work in sweatshops. These manufacturing plants are inhumane and cause the degradation of people by forcing work upon them with little to no pay. Sweatshops are also extremely dangerous due to the poor air quality in factories, affecting workers’ respiratory systems. Even with these problems, companies like Shein are extremely popular and will continue to be if online shopping stays popular, with Shein seeing their largest market share gain in 2024.

Although online shopping can sometimes be inefficient and often raises ethical concerns, it continues to grow. 2025 was the first year in which $120 billion was strictly generated from e-commerce sales. 

Finally, online shopping allows individuals to purchase items at any time without having leave the couch. Online stores also provide wider access to a wider variety of products that may not be available locally. An example of this would be the “we made too much section” at Lululemon, because it provides heavy discounts on items that have not been sold in stores. This section is not available in-person, so it provides a unique experience for customers.

In-Person shopping

Going to a store and buying items is the safest, most reliable option to ensure items are exactly the way you want. When shopping in a store, customers can see, feel, and try products before purchase. However, depending on when you shop, there is a high chance you will be stuck waiting for a while. Around 10 am-2 pm is the busiest time for shoppers, so you will probably be stuck in some sort of wait if you go then.

“There is something to be said for customer service. Some physical stores provide an experience that can’t be duplicated online.  But time is precious in a society that feels like they need things right now, so that’s where online shopping steps in,” Croley said.

Shopping online not only saves you time but, in some cases, it also saves you money. Many stores offer exclusive, in-store discounts, sales or price matching that are not available online. An example of this would be seeing a piece of clothing you like and checking the price in the store and online, and the price is different online than in the store. Shopping in person also allows customers to avoid shipping fees, delivery delays or damaged packages. By comparing online prices with in-store prices, shoppers can make smarter decisions and potentially save money while receiving their item immediately. Studies show that you can save 30-40% by shopping on sale.

“Once when I was shopping at the mall, I found this cute dress I liked for $150 in the store, but when I looked it up online, I found that it was $200, so I actually saved a decent amount of money by just checking, and I bought the dress that day,” Scissors said.

Another advantage of in-person shopping is the overall experience it provides. Being able to walk through a store, ask employees questions, and receive immediate assistance can make shopping easier and significantly less stressful. If a problem occurs, such as needing a different size or returning an item, it can be handled quickly without the issue of packaging and shipping.

Conclusion 

In today’s age, shopping can be a very satisfying and gratifying experience. People all the time are fed shopping opportunities into their feeds on social media, and this builds intrigue, so when they actually get the chance to buy it, it’s very exciting. People post about what they buy online on their social media to show and influence others to engage in the same experiences. 

“After I receive my package, I send my friends a haul, which is the items I got, and they tell me if they like it or not, and it’s always fun seeing their reaction,” Scissors said.

Although there are flaws to both online and in-person shopping, they are both great options to get what you need, and you can also have fun doing it. Shopping can have a huge effect on people’s lives, whether their job depends on it, they need items, or they want entertainment. Even products like Parkway West apparel can help students show their school pride. Shopping is not just looking at price tags and swiping cards; it’s about showing your personality and interests. By shopping online, you get the option to shop in the comfort of your own home, but by shopping in-store, you get to personally touch and feel the items that you want to express yourself with. The choice is yours.