Financial crisis and e-commerce...

[ry4ncook]

Are you guys finding that you are shopping online A LOT more than usual?

I'm finding that since the so called 'recession' has 'hit', I have been using the Internet a lot more to find cheaper things. I'm even starting to buy little things like cleaning products online!

Is it just me being a 'tight-arse'?

[who_me]

Are you guys finding that you are shopping online A LOT more than usual?

I'm finding that since the so called 'recession' has 'hit', I have been using the Internet a lot more to find cheaper things. I'm even starting to buy little things like cleaning products online!

Is it just me being a 'tight-arse'?

I hope it's catching because it's great for my line of work :)

[movietub]

I can confirm that online shopping seems to be shooting up! My websites say thanks to all of you ;)

One thing I have noticed is a lot more people are calling us on the support number 'I'm looking at x on your website and i'd like to buy it but I havn't done this before'

Which is clear proof that people are looking for cheaper ways of getting what they are used to being able to afford.

When people worry about money these days they don't want to give things up, they just look for a cheaper way.

Over the last 2 short years online shopping has shifted firmly from geek territory to an everyday occurrence for millions. I believe that during the current crisis those numbers will swell more than anyone predicted and that we will start hearing stories about the high street suffering etc etc.

Which is fine with me, business owners should follow their customers and if they want to buy online great! It also helps cut town center congestion, saves money, saves a lot of fuel and has renewed the health of the postal system.

Wahey

[IridiumCorp]

As a PSP that sits behind many online merchants from all sectors we have seen a strong upsurge in our merchants sales in recent months. People are buying more of their home goods and appliances online as they look to save a few pennies.

So for us the recession is not bad news;)

[Gate2Shop]

I agree with IridiumCorp the land based retail might have taken a bit but our transactions have increased quite a bit.

[movietub]

It seems the budget sector as a whole is doing well out of this. My biggest website is operated from a unit on an industrial estate, we used to be internet sales only but 6 months ago we swept out the warehouse and opened to the public!

We don't really advertise, if people walk in then great but we don't rely upon it.

In the last month or so a lot more people seem to be finding us! - Of course it does help that we are physical shop with 100% competitive internet prices.

I heard Matalan and the like are doing pretty well too - and I bet Lidl's new TV ad campaign isn't a coincidence...

[TonyHill]

It's certainly true that online retail is surging as high streets suffer. I think it's down to people's appetite for lower prices and the increased cost in transport, there's no need for them to travel to find what they're looking for...
Does this mean that larger companies are going to be spending more money on their online fronts too?

[movietub]

I think it means a lot of people who make money as middle men (and women of course) will find things drying up. The ability to scale up online is unlimited and prices are instantly comparable and pushed down.

Ultimately as companies grow they discover the buying power to go direct to manufacturer, wholesale distribution becomes a thing of the past when geography is no longer an issue. All thats required is to get the products direct from the manufacturer to the retailer. Maybe one day direct to the customer?

I've no doubt we're on the brink of seeing the established route of trade completley re-written. Also once the big high street companies move their focus to online sales the competition between them will be hotter than ever and as a result we should see less but larger companies emerge succesful.

I still think this is better in the end. The bottom line is we can all get what we require online in a more efficient way. Trapsing around the high street is enjoyable but is it actually clever?

[luckyg]

I think it means a lot of people who make money as middle men (and women of course) will find things drying up. The ability to scale up online is unlimited and prices are instantly comparable and pushed down.

Ultimately as companies grow they discover the buying power to go direct to manufacturer, wholesale distribution becomes a thing of the past when geography is no longer an issue. All thats required is to get the products direct from the manufacturer to the retailer. Maybe one day direct to the customer?

I've no doubt we're on the brink of seeing the established route of trade completley re-written. Also once the big high street companies move their focus to online sales the competition between them will be hotter than ever and as a result we should see less but larger companies emerge succesful.

I still think this is better in the end. The bottom line is we can all get what we require online in a more efficient way. Trapsing around the high street is enjoyable but is it actually clever?

Where does that leave social interaction?

[movietub]

Where does that leave social interaction?

Facebook HAHAHA!


But seriously I think the biggest way the internet increases efficiency has been its effect on communication and the transfer of information from anywhere to anywhere else. People arn't sharing less, they just don't talk as much in the tradition sense maybe.

Also efficiency could be said to increase the spare time we have to socialise in the ways we want. For example its more pleasant to chat to the person behind the counter when I'm at the supermarket than it is to do the weekly shop online - but with the petrol money and time I save I can pop to the pub and have a chat with the people I really enjoy spending time with.

[IridiumCorp]

I can't find the link to it but an article I read recently had an interesting insight into how people are relearning how to shop.

They go to the high street like they normally would. Pick out the goods that they want to buy,then go home and buy the cheapest one they can find online of that model.

Best of both worlds.

[KidsBeeHappy]

I don't think people actually ever talk to eachother when shopping. Partic in the Bluewater/Braehead etc type shopping complexes.

[movietub]

I can't find the link to it but an article I read recently had an interesting insight into how people are relearning how to shop.

They go to the high street like they normally would. Pick out the goods that they want to buy,then go home and buy the cheapest one they can find online of that model.

Best of both worlds.

I think thats the current transition. Problem comes when high street shops start to downsize in favour of expanding the online operations. At that point more focus would probably be put on online reviews, better presentation and so on.

The industry I'm involved in has found it almost impossible to compete with online retailers and as a result my main supplier tells me 2 shops are closing a week. I agree entirely that most of my customers do look at products in the shops before buying from me so the near future could start to get very interesting!

I think for a while yet there is an argument that shops can charge more than online equivilants because they provide a better overall experience and hands on advice - but n my industry the difference is frequently more than 100% price increase on the high street. That sort of money saving is hard to argue against!

[tagnum]

Whether it is online or offline, to survive in the recession depends on your company strategy - Spot the latest trend in your industry and adapt the changes.