According to Time Magazine, recently more and more malls have been shutting down due to decreasing customers and financial instability. I, like many others, would rather shop online because it’s more convenient, has more stock, and takes way less time.
Around the holidays, people spend more time shopping for gifts, and malls become overcrowded and unbearable to visit. When the stores become excessively crowded, finding the things I want becomes difficult. It can be stressful trying to look for specific items in a loud, crowded area. I also feel more rushed in a mall, which ends up making me feel unsatisfied with my purchases. On the other hand, when I stay in the comfort of my home and shop on my computer, I can quickly check what’s in stock and see if they have the right size.
Online shopping also eliminates waiting in lines, which is better for anyone who doesn’t have time or patience to wait. Malls and in-person shopping also have set hours, whereas online I can shop anytime I want, making it more convenient for my schedule. Another advantage of online shopping is being able to shop at places that don’t have a physical store near me. It’s a plus to be able to shop anywhere in the world, regardless of where you live.
I do understand that some people prefer in-person shopping because it can be seen as more fun. In-person shopping is an activity you can do with friends for a whole day. When I go to the mall with my friends, we usually take our time shopping, look around multiple stores, and make a day out of it.
I believe that in the future the gap between in-person shopping and online shopping will continue to widen because, as technology advances, it will be even easier for consumers to order something. As this happens, more stores will be unable to stay open because they won’t get enough business. Overall, I think that online shopping is more favored for convenience and the fact that it can be done from anyone’s house.
