what are the disadvantages of online shopping essay

IELTS Writing Task 2: Essay on online shopping/virtual shopping/e-shopping; with planning and model answer

This IELTS Writing Task 2 post is about ‘online shopping and its merits and demerits’ . Here, I’ve discussed the advantages and disadvantages of virtual/online/e-shopping and presented a model answer on this Task 2 question. This model answer can guide you to write an answer to any online shopping related essay.

Let’s have a look at the question we are going to discuss today.

The language of this task 2 question can be different in different exams.

Here’s another example of the same question:

An increasing number of people are buying what they need online.

What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shopping online?

Nowadays, e-shopping or shopping online has an increasing trend among shoppers. It has both positive and negative sides. First, we need to make a plan for writing on this topic.

Here’s a short plan that may help you.

Planning and organisation:

Here is how I’ve planned the essay with a 4-paragraph structure:

• Introduction: topic + thesis (2 sentences can be sufficient): Introduce the topic – ‘online shopping getting more popular’. Then write a thesis on how you are going to show that there are some positives and negatives of the issue.
• Body paragraph on the reasons behind virtual shopping being so popular: You can write about straightforward ideas e.g. people get more convenience, and availability or choice of products. Give some real-life examples here.
• Body paragraph on the negative sides of online shopping: Again, present some very general ideas e.g. customers get cheated and people become more isolated. Give some real-life examples here too
• Conclusion: restate your ideas Online shopping has both advantages and disadvantages. You can give your personal opinion on how the disadvantages can be reduced.

Now let’s take a look at the model answer.

Model answer: expected band score – 7.5 to 8.0

In recent years, the rate of in-store shopping has plunged due to vast opportunities for buying different products including daily necessaries from hundreds of online stores. This essay will try to demonstrate chances such as convenience and product availability as the reasons behind the popularity of e-shopping whereas it will focus on swindling and isolation as the pitfalls of this issue.

Initially, the prime reason behind the popularity of e-shopping is convenience which can be easily understood from the thousands of virtual shops all over the world. To illustrate, people nowadays are busier than ever because of the fast pace of the world and they want to save as much time as they can for relaxation. Virtual shopping gives this magnificent prospect of time-saving and so people enjoy taking it. Besides, superstores sometimes run out of products in the precise moment when people need them which online shops rarely have this crisis. For instance, I needed a flat-screen monitor a few months ago but my local store had it out of stock. When I peeped into some online stores I found it easily on eBay.

Meanwhile, though shopping on the internet looks very promising, it is not without its setbacks. Many people, mostly the newcomers, regularly complain of getting tricked on virtual shopping and the rate of complaints is increasing at a faster rate. To explain, one of my friends has recently got swindled when he paid in advance for a smartwatch. Additionally, people often become isolated in their rooms through e-shopping which can affect their feelings and behaviour. As an example, a friend of mine started shopping online a couple of years ago even though the nearest superstore was only 500 metres away. His neighbours, nowadays, describe him as an ill-mannered and antisocial person which, needless to say, is the result of being home and becoming isolated from the outer world. 

In brief, virtual shoppers obtain greater benefits if compared to in-store shoppers. Converting such shopping to a stress-free experience, it is turning out to be progressively more convenient. However, as clients may sometimes get deceived and become cut off from the social world, concerned authorities should look into the matter cautiously. (360 words)

Here are some other Task 2 questions which can be answered taking help from the given essay example on online shopping:

• Some people support online shopping because it is convenient, while others argue that shopping on the internet poses threats. Discuss both views and give your opinions.
• Nowadays on-line shopping has become more popular than in-store shopping. Is it a positive or a negative development?
• Nowadays many people go shopping in their free time. Shopping has replaced many other activities that people used to choose as their hobby. What are the reasons for this? Is this a positive or negative development?

If you have written any answer to this question, you can post it in the comment box and we can discuss about it in details. 

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Click here for a model answer to agree-disagree topic: elderly or young people as company leaders

Click here for a model answer to advantage-disadvantage topic: online shopping

Click here for a model answer to opinion essay: urbanization in countryside/ problem of housing

Click here for a model answer to opinion essay: qualities of a good supervisor/boss

Click here for a model answer to descriptive essay: advantages/facilities/benefits of vocational education 

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Pros and Cons of Online Shopping

6 Benefits and Drawbacks to Keep in Mind When You Shop Online

Pros of Online Shopping

Cons of online shopping, how to make the most of online shopping, money-saving tips for online shopping, frequently asked questions (faqs).

The Balance / Jiaqi Zhou

Online shopping is more popular today than ever before. U.S. businesses pulled in a record $285.2 billion from retail e-commerce sales in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. For comparison, retail e-commerce sales were $69.2 billion in the same period one decade prior.

Due in part to new and growing technology, online shopping has become incredibly easy and convenient. It also offers a greater selection than one storefront, opening the doors to products and services that may not be available at a nearby brick-and-mortar store .

While online shopping comes with several benefits, there are drawbacks to know about, too. Let's dive deeper into the pros and cons of shopping online.

Key Takeaways

• Online shopping is convenient and offers a variety of products you may not be able to find at your local stores.
• It's easier to comparison shop online, where you can access prices, reviews, and product details with a click.
• When you shop online, you need to wait for your product to be delivered to you, and you might spend more than you would if you went to a brick-and-mortar store.
• There's also a risk of fraud when you shop online. You can combat this by choosing trusted stores and paying with a card that offers fraud protection.

Convenience

Greater selection

Easy access to information

Can be more expensive

Increases risk of fraud

Leads to longer wait times

Using your computer or another digital device for your shopping needs can be convenient, offer more options, and provide insight you might not find in person at a store.

The greatest benefit of online shopping is its convenience. Through the digital space, you can buy almost anything you want from the comfort of your own home. Since online stores are open 24/7 and accessible from anywhere with internet access, it's easy to fit online shopping into your life no matter how busy you are. You don't have to plan your purchases based on when a brick-and-mortar store is open and available to serve you.

Greater Selection

Because products online live within the digital space, online retailers are not restricted to shelves and often have more inventory on hand with a wider selection of products. Also, online shopping gives you the chance to buy anything from any retailer, no matter where you're located. If you're in the market for a new lamp, for example, you'll have more options available to you than you would if you only shopped at stores in your local area.

Easy Access to Information

When shopping online, you will often find more details about a business's products than you would get in physical stores. Instead of speaking to one or two sales associates in person, you can peruse product descriptions, recommendations of similar products, and reviews from other shoppers online that may help you make a more informed purchasing decision.

Online retailers also tend to have membership options, typically via email or newsletters, that give shoppers early access to sales, seasonal releases , and other events. This way, you can be one of the first to know of offerings from your favorite brands.

Shopping for items online can also have its pitfalls, including hidden price mark-ups, an increased risk of fraud, and the inability to use or wear the item you purchased right away.

Can Be More Expensive

Online purchases can cost you more for several reasons. Even though many major online retailers offer free shipping, they generally require you to meet a minimum to qualify for it. In addition, online retailers may use several strategies to encourage you to buy more items or more expensive items than if you were shopping in person.

Depending on the state you live in, you may be required to pay an internet sales tax , too. In Texas, for example, you may have to pay a tax on out-of-state purchases delivered into Texas or purchases made from online-only sellers.

Many online retailers take part in digital tactics to convince shoppers to make more purchases, often considered impulse buys . Some include using "limited-time" sale pop-ups that reset every time users reload the page, fake customer testimonials, or messages that promote higher-cost items.

Increases Risk of Fraud

Unfortunately, online shopping scams do exist. According to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC), online shopping is among the most common fraud category for consumers. Some scammers pretend to be legitimate online sellers with fake websites or create fake ads on real sites.

Always pay by credit card rather than a debit card, as you can easily report fraud to your credit card company. Also, it is best to avoid online sellers that only accept payment via money transfers, gift cards, or cryptocurrency. Scammers may encourage you to pay through these methods so they can access your money faster.

Leads to Longer Wait Times

When you shop at a brick-and-mortar store, you can generally walk away with the product you bought and use or wear it right away. Online shopping forces you to wait days, weeks, or even longer for your order to arrive. If you're in a time crunch and need a product right away, such as a gift, going to an in-person shop may be a better option for you.

These tips can allow you to enhance your online shopping experience.

Know Which Products to Buy Online

Some items are better to buy online than others because you can find countless consumer reviews, discounts, or other deals pertaining to them. For items you regularly use (such as a laptop, phone charger, luggage, or textbook), the internet may be the best place to compare offers. For things you require to have long-lasting value (like a car) or must get right away (such as groceries), shopping in person may be best.

Additionally, if there's a brand you trust or are familiar with, it may be best to bypass third-party sellers and purchase directly from their website in order to avoid potential counterfeit products or unauthorized resellers.

Read Reviews

Before you check out, read reviews on the retailer's website as well as third-party sites like Google and Facebook. This can help you find out if the retailer is legitimate and whether there may be any potential issues with the product you're about to invest in. Reviews are beneficial for small businesses , too. Ninety-seven percent of consumers read online reviews of local businesses, according to marketing consultancy BrightLocal.

Some companies have more nuanced review options than others. Clothing rental service Nuuly, for example, lets customers add photos of themselves wearing products with written reviews, enabling future customers to make empowered, smart purchasing decisions.

Examine Product Details

If you’re interested in a product, read its description. Make sure you know what it’s made out of, whether it comes with a warranty, what sizes are available, and so on. By doing so, you can avoid unwanted surprises that cost you time, money, and headaches when the product arrives.

There are many ways to save some money while making online purchases. Consider these tips to improve your online shopping experience.

Comparison Shop

If you have a specific product in mind, it's in your best interest to comparison shop, similar to how you would when looking for life insurance. Look at various online stores that offer what you want. Then, compare prices so you can find the best deal.

As you comparison shop, read product descriptions very closely. The FTC recommends looking out for words like "refurbished" or "vintage," as this could mean a product will arrive at your door in less-than-perfect condition.

Follow Online Retailers on Social Media

Online retailers often promote their sales and discounted items on Facebook, Instagram, and other social media channels. If you follow some of your favorite companies on social media, you may be one of the first to see and purchase the latest offers.

Use Money-Saving Apps or Plug-ins

There is no shortage of apps or plug-ins that allow you to save money online without the hassle. Some examples are Honey, Swagbucks, Capital One Shopping, and Rakuten. You can also look for coupon codes online on sites like RetailMeNot.com and Coupons.com.

How do you get your money back from an online purchase?

This process varies by retailer. Some may automatically refund your money when you report a problem with your purchase; others may require you to return the product first. You may not be able to get your money back at all, especially if it's after the retailer's return window. If you're buying something that may not work for you, like clothing, check the retailer's refund policy before you buy.

How has the internet changed shopping?

The internet has completely changed the shopping experience. People have access to products from around the globe. Payments are instant, and recommendations are tailored to your shopping and browsing habits. Brick-and-mortar retailers have had to respond by launching websites and improving their in-person customer experience.

U.S. Census Bureau. " Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales ," Page 1.

U.S. Census Bureau. " Quarterly Retail E-Commerce Sales 4th Quarter 2013 ," Page 2.

Texas Comptroller's Office. " Taxes: Online Orders - Texas Purchasers and Sellers ."

University of Michigan. " Impulse Buying: Design Practices and Consumer Needs ," Pages 6, 9, and 11.

Federal Trade Commission. " Consumer Sentinel Network ," Page 8.

BrightLocal. " Local Consumer Review Survey ."

Nuuly. " Forget Me Not Mini Dress ."

Federal Trade Commission. " Online Shopping ," See "Comparison Shopping."

Give the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping- IELTS Writing Task 2

Updated On Aug 08, 2024

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Get access to IELTS Writing Task 2 band 9 sample answer of 'Give the the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping’ here!

Table of Contents

Sample essay.

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In IELTS Writing Task 2 advantages and disadvantages essays, you will be asked to write the benefits and drawbacks of the topic given. You have to be careful that you write the advantages and disadvantages of the topic given and not your opinion about the topic.

To help you understand this type of essay better, below is a sample essay along with a vocabulary section. Continue to practise other topics of IELTS advantages and disadvantages essays to help you during your preparation. The Essay Writing section of the IELTS Writing Module can be a difficult task for many IELTS Aspirants. Thus, you must polish your essay writing skills before attempting the IELTS exam.

Below is a sample IELTS Essay for the IELTS Essay topic:

Give the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping.

Advantages/Disadvantages essay

Introduction

Paraphrase the topic of the essay and mention that the essay will discuss both the advantages and disadvantages.

Paragraph 1: Talk about the advantages of how online shopping can be beneficial for people.

Paragraph 2: Implore the disadvantage of online shopping as the cause of concern.

Restate your opinions.

Despite knowing what time it is on the clock or what the weather is outside or there is a pandemic, we can conveniently buy things that we want from online stores. Very few people feel the need to venture into the stores. There is no denying that online shopping has become more popular and less tiring than in-store shopping. This trend has positive and negative aspects, which are discussed in the following essay.

On the one hand, the online shopping brings in more benefits than in-store shopping. Firstly, it saves time for both buyers and sellers as buyers do not have to travel and sellers need not show their goods one by one to every consumer. Further, they can get a perfect knock-off on the prices and easily compare the products before hitting the purchase button, leading to significant cost benefits for shoppers. In this manner, people can make more sensible decisions after evaluating and considering the price, size, and models. Moreover, it enables them to shop easily from any part of the world.

On the other hand, shopping online does not enable to touch or see the product, in reality, making it hard to examine the quality of the product resulting in purchasing the product of poor quality and sometimes impossible to return or exchange the product, which in turn leads to squandering the money. Another concerning thing is that shopping online has made people compulsive shoppers. Furthermore, there is always a risk of getting financial information to be exploited by hackers for security reasons as there is always news of data breaches even from renowned brands and sites.

On a final note, I would say that the advantages outweigh the disadvantages of online shopping. Still, one must be careful of fraud and misrepresentation while buying from different websites.

Band 9 Vocabulary

Meaning – (of a disease) prevalent over a whole country or the world. Example – An influenza pandemic may have skewed the results

Meaning – a business enterprise, typically one that involves risk. Example – There was a recent joint venture between two aircraft manufacturers.

• Significant

Meaning – sufficiently great or important to be worthy of attention; noteworthy. Example – There was a significant increase in sales after they advertised a heavy discount.

Meaning – done or chosen in accordance with wisdom or prudence or likely to be of benefit. Example – I do not think it is sensible to spend so much on a particular project.

• Squandering

Meaning – wasting (something, especially money or time) recklessly and foolishly. Example – She squandered her allowance without any thought.

Meaning – irresistibly interesting or exciting or compelling. Example – Anna was becoming a compulsive viewer of the play.

Meaning – selfishly take advantage of someone in order to profit from them or otherwise benefit oneself. Example – 500 companies sprang up and exploited this new technology.

Meaning – an act of breaking or failing to observe a law, agreement, or code of conduct. Example – He sued the company for breach of the agreement.

Meaning – wrongful or criminal deception intended to result in financial or personal gain. Example – He claimed he was a licensed psychologist, but he turned out to be a fraud.

• Misrepresentation

Meaning – the action or offence of giving a false or misleading account of the nature of something. Example – She is seeking damages on allegations of misrepresentation.

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Essay on Online Shopping

Students are often asked to write an essay on Online Shopping in their schools and colleges. And if you’re also looking for the same, we have created 100-word, 250-word, and 500-word essays on the topic.

Let’s take a look…

100 Words Essay on Online Shopping

Introduction to online shopping.

Online shopping is a popular way to buy goods and services. It involves using the internet to visit websites of stores and buying items digitally.

Benefits of Online Shopping

Online shopping has many advantages. It’s convenient, as you can shop anytime, anywhere. It also offers a wider variety of products than physical stores.

Disadvantages of Online Shopping

Despite its benefits, online shopping has downsides. There’s the risk of fraud, and you can’t physically check the product before buying.

Online shopping is a significant part of our lives. It’s important to be aware of its pros and cons to shop wisely.

250 Words Essay on Online Shopping

Introduction.

Online shopping, a digital revolution, has transformed the traditional shopping experience. It provides a platform where consumers can purchase goods and services from the comfort of their homes, eliminating geographical boundaries.

Convenience and Variety

One of the primary advantages of online shopping is the convenience it offers. Consumers can shop at any time, from anywhere, without the need to queue in stores. Additionally, it provides a wide variety of products, from electronics to groceries, all under one digital roof.

Price Comparison and Reviews

Online shopping platforms allow consumers to compare prices and read product reviews before making a purchase. This transparency fosters informed decision-making, leading to enhanced customer satisfaction.

Economic and Environmental Impact

E-commerce has significant economic implications. It has created a global marketplace, boosting competition, and driving down prices. However, it also poses challenges to small, local businesses. Environmentally, while it reduces the carbon footprint associated with physical shopping trips, it increases packaging waste and carbon emissions from delivery vehicles.

Security Concerns

Despite its numerous benefits, online shopping is not without risks. Cybersecurity threats, such as identity theft and fraud, are significant concerns. Therefore, it’s crucial for consumers to shop on secure websites and avoid sharing sensitive information.

In conclusion, online shopping has revolutionized the retail landscape, offering convenience, variety, and transparency. However, consumers must be vigilant about cybersecurity threats. As the digital age progresses, it’s crucial to find a balance between the convenience of online shopping and its economic, environmental, and security implications.

500 Words Essay on Online Shopping

Online shopping, a term synonymous with the digital age, has revolutionized the way consumers interact with the marketplace. It denotes the act of purchasing products or services over the Internet, a practice that has seen exponential growth due to technological advancements and changing consumer behavior.

The Evolution of Online Shopping

The genesis of online shopping can be traced back to the 1990s with the advent of the World Wide Web. The first secure retail transaction over the Web was either by NetMarket or Internet Shopping Network in 1994. Today, it has evolved into a multi-billion dollar industry, with companies like Amazon, Alibaba, and eBay leading the charge. This evolution has been catalyzed by the proliferation of smartphones and high-speed internet access, making online shopping a convenient and time-saving activity.

Advantages of Online Shopping

Online shopping offers numerous advantages. Firstly, it provides consumers with a wider range of products than traditional brick-and-mortar stores. This is because online stores are not limited by physical space, allowing them to offer a more diverse selection of goods.

Lastly, online shopping offers unparalleled convenience. Consumers can shop from the comfort of their homes at any time, thus eliminating the need to travel, saving both time and energy.

Challenges of Online Shopping

Despite its numerous advantages, online shopping is not without its challenges. The most significant of these is the lack of physical interaction with the product before purchase. This can lead to dissatisfaction if the product does not meet the consumer’s expectations upon delivery.

The Future of Online Shopping

The future of online shopping looks promising, with advancements in technology poised to further enhance the online shopping experience. For instance, augmented reality (AR) is expected to play a significant role in online shopping, allowing consumers to virtually try on products before purchasing them.

Furthermore, the integration of artificial intelligence (AI) will enable more personalized shopping experiences. AI can analyze consumers’ shopping habits and preferences to provide tailored product recommendations.

If you’re looking for more, here are essays on other interesting topics:

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Drawbacks and Benefits of Online Shopping Essay

• To find inspiration for your paper and overcome writer’s block
• As a source of information (ensure proper referencing)
• As a template for you assignment

Introduction

Benefits of online shopping, drawbacks of online shopping.

Online shopping is a form of e-commerce that involves the use of internet-connected computer hardware and credit cards. The user also needs to have a secure password that will enable him or her to access the services. Online shoppers are required to have different passwords for different shopping websites.

The process of online shopping involves opening the site where one prefers shopping, selecting the good or service needed by clicking on the specific item that the shopper wants, and then clicking on the ‘add to basket’ portal. After the item is moved, the buyer then clicks the stop button. Before entering money details, the customer ensures that the website uses ‘https’ and not ‘http’.

Such a browser assures the user that the site is secure in terms of handling money. The user then enters his or her credit or debit card particulars on the site. The site will display some verification characters for the user to enter. These ‘Captcha” details verify that the machine is being operated by a person and not a fraudulent software or robot.

After the buyer has completed entering the required details on the website as prompted, he or she then waits for the goods or services to be delivered to his or her authorised points of delivery. With this hint in mind concerning online shopping, the information given so far is enough to declare the shopping strategy as both risky and advantageous. The study dwells on proving this claim.

One of the benefits of online shopping is that it makes the customer have quick access to items that are identical regardless of where he or she does the shopping for them. For example, one is able to access items such as certain types of clothes, Compact Discs (CDs), books, cookeries, and even electronics. The only major requirements that the buyer should ensure that he or she has are the particulars of the item, which he or she verifies when it is delivered.

Bonsu and Darmody (2008, p. 356) argue that online shopping enables people to save energy that could have been used to travel to the shopping malls or to the markets for certain items. Online shopping is particularly advantageous, when the item that the buyer wants is similar in various shopping points. Such an item does not require the buyer to select a particular item from a variety of closely related or similar items.

For example, if it is a particular book by Shakespeare for instance, the book is not likely to be different in terms of price from one shop to another in a certain market region. With such items, the buyer can comfortably do online shopping. Constaninides (2004, p. 115) reveals that online shopping is also beneficial because it saves time.

Most of the online shopping service providers offer free delivery of services to their customers for goods of a specific value. The buyer is able to save a lot of time, which he or she can spend doing other beneficial activities. The time that shoppers spend in travelling, selecting, packing, and carrying the items is reduced. Therefore, online services such as shopping enhance efficiency.

According to Bonsu and Darmody (2008, p. 356), online shopping is also beneficial to customers in that they can obtain commodities that are not easily accessible due to distance and complexity of specificity. Some items that customers may need are very specific in nature.

Hence, identifying and selecting them physically in the shelves of the supermarket may be tedious. For example, electronic gadgets have specific codes that may easily confuse customers who have no previous experience in them. Choosing the specific item from a variety of others may attract confusion and hence a probable wrong choice of what the client requires.

In some instances, goods or services are not available in the proximity of the customer. In such cases, online customer can search through the websites and identify the item from far since delivery is guaranteed. For example, a customer may want to buy a certain model of a car that is not available in his or her country. Sometimes the buyer may not know where to get a certain item.

However, the buyer can access such goods and services through online advertising that the sellers offer. Online shopping has also enabled sellers to publicise their goods and services. A good example of shopping sites is the OLX where sellers post a picture of the items they want to sell, their description, and price. In addition, online shopping has little or no interference from competitors.

According to Bonsu and Darmody (2008, p. 355), unlike in supermarkets, shopping malls, shops, and hotels where customers line up to be served, online shopping is personal. Customers will use their computers, mobile phones or iPads to access the items that they want to buy. There are no cues and scramble for scarce items as it happens sometimes in shops and supermarkets.

Clients can order for items that they may not be confident to pick in the company of others in the supermarket. Such items include medicine for diseases that are stereotyped such as HIV/AIDs and other STDs. Thus, online shopping guarantees privacy and convenience.

Moreover, online shopping has been very beneficial for the physically challenged. Since these people find it difficult to travel, open fridges and shelves in supermarkets, and/or even to carry their shopping, they prefer using this service. Online shopping service saves them the strenuous activity hence enabling them to shop comfortably just like their normal counterparts.

Although e-commerce has been embraced in many economies of the world, there are several challenges that face its advancement. One of the drawbacks of online shopping is that it is not a very safe and secure transaction. The Secure Test consultancy firm that is based in the United Kingdom conducted a research on the safety of e-commerce.

Out of 100 websites that the consultancy investigated, the company concluded that there were many flaws in terms of handling of customers’ details by various websites. The methods of handling security details of customers were very insecure. Such flaws included mishandling of customer passwords and email addresses.

Mismanagement of the customer’s data is a great loop that online attackers use to hack registered e-commerce sites. Another drawback is lack of compliance with the required standards for the use of credit card by the issuing companies. Credit cards are required to be compliant with the PCI-DSS standards, which are the international standards that should guide the security of credit card services.

However, in a recent survey of credit compliance in the UK, only 14 percent of the 65 companies that were involved had complied with the PCI-DSS standards. Surprisingly, even large website companies such as Littlewoods were found to lag in terms of compliance. Companies such as the New Look are also not compliant. However, they do not keep details of customers’ credit cards and passwords.

In fact, customers should revert to PayPal, which is more secure. Constaninides (2004, p. 111) argue that websites are hacked using SQL injection where fraudsters use the registered websites to perform fraud on online customers. The other drawback is that online shopping websites cannot be trusted. Websites that host most of the shopping sites portals are never screened for authenticity.

Without scrutiny, such companies can be operated by people with ill motives hence injuring innocent customers. For example, Fasthosts Company has fallen to this trap. Last year, this company, which is based in the UK, was ordered to have its customers alter their FTP and all their passwords to their emails due to data breach. If this step were not taken as a quick remedy, many online shoppers would have lost their money.

With the advancement of computer technology, e-commerce has been adopted by many economies in the world today. Online commerce involves the use of internet-enabled computers to carry out shopping on company websites. The buyer pays for the services using credit cards or debit cards with special passwords. There are various advantages and disadvantages of using online shopping.

The benefits include saving time and energy used in shopping, easy access of goods and services that are not available in certain regions, access to goods and services by physically challenged persons, and enhancing efficiency. However, several drawbacks are evident such as insecurity, poor credit card compliance by the providers, and website hosts that cannot be trusted due to poor authenticity.

Finally, from the above discussion, e-commerce has more advantages in relation to disadvantages. Hence, it should be adopted in the world with the necessary input in security.

Bonsu, A & Darmody, A 2008, ‘Co-creating Second Life: Market—Consumer Cooperation in Contemporary Economy’, Journal of Macromarketing, vol. 28 no. 4, pp.355-368.

Constaninides, E 2004, ‘Influencing the Online Consumers Behaviour: the web Experience’, Emerald Research Journal , vol. 14 no. 2, pp.111-126.

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Online Shopping Essay

500+ words online shopping essay.

The trend of online shopping has increased in recent times with the increase of e-commerce and digital technology. With just a single click, you can shop for everything by sitting at your home as per your choice, convenience and budget. This essay on online shopping will help students learn about the pros and cons of online shopping. We have also compiled a list of CBSE Essays on different topics to help them improve their essay-writing skills. These essays will also help them improve their scores on the English exam.

What Does Online Shopping Mean?

Online shopping is the activity of buying products and services over the internet using a web browser or mobile app. It means buyers have to go online to reach a seller’s website and then select the product they want to purchase. The buyer can pay for the goods and services either online with a credit or debit card or upon delivery. Online shopping sites are also known by many other names such as e-shop, e-web-store, e-store, internet shop, web-store, web-shop, virtual store and online store. An online shop creates a physical analogy for buying products or services. Some of the famous online retailing corporations which facilitate the experience of online shopping are Amazon, eBay, Flipkart, Myntra, etc.

Online shopping is a growing area of the digital world and technology. Establishing a store on the Internet gives various options to consumers. With the growth of online shopping, most businesses have started selling their products online. Now, just having physical stores is not enough in this fast-paced world. Having online store interfaces for consumers has also become essential for running a business in the current scenario.

Benefits of Online Shopping

There are numerous advantages of online shopping. People feel more convenient while shopping online. They can shop from anywhere at their own convenient time through easy and safe payment methods. Online shopping has empowered consumers with various advantages such as convenience and time-saving, lower search costs, better product selection, lower prices, etc. One of the biggest benefits of online shopping is that you can buy the items you want with just a single click. Online stores are open 24 hours a day and are accessible from any location with an internet connection.

Online stores carry more variations and provide more varieties of a product as compared to traditional stores. This is because online stores don’t need to attractively display their items on shelves, and they can keep a larger amount of inventory on hand. They might also have small amounts of each item since they don’t need to display them and can order more from their supplier as needed.

Online shops tend to provide more information about items for sale than you would get in a physical store. Product descriptions most often include a description from the manufacturer, another description from the vendor, specific technical and size details, reviews from professional magazines and journals, and reviews from people who have bought the product. Having all this information available when you are considering a purchase makes you a more informed consumer without having to perform extra research by yourself.

Online stores are not burdened by the costs of running a physical store, such as the rent of the physical premises and wages of sales staff. The cost savings by online stores lead to lower pricing on the internet, passing on cost savings to shoppers. The internet encourages online vendors to compete with one another by lowering prices.

Disadvantages of Online Shopping

The benefits of shopping online also come with potential risks and dangers. When you shop online, you can’t touch or try out the product. You have to depend upon product pictures only. You can’t buy the product instantly. If you don’t get the product in hand immediately after payment, you have to wait for delivery, which can take days to weeks. There is no guarantee that you will get the product in its original shape; it might get damaged on the way. Sometimes, the product is very different from the pictures and description due to various reasons and also has poor quality. If, after receiving the package, expectations weren’t met, you need to go through a returns process which can be time-consuming. Apart from these, there is also a chance of security threats from online shopping. If the site is not secured, you have a risk of losing your card information.

Online shopping is one of the convenient ways of purchasing different products. However, there are some products which are better if they are purchased from physical stores. So, in the future, we can expect online stores to improve their technology, making way for a much easier and faster shopping experience.

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What are the advantages and disadvantages of shopping online compared to shopping in physical stores?

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To summarize, a robotic teacher does not have the necessary disciple to properly give instructions to students and actually works to retard the ability of a student to comprehend new lessons. Therefore, it is clear that the idea of running a classroom completely by a machine cannot be supported. After thorough analysis on this subject, it is predicted that the adverse effects of the debate over technology-driven teaching will always be greater than the positive effects, and because of this, classroom teachers will never be substituted for technology.

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Seven (7) Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Shopping

• Post author: Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka ACMC
• Post published: March 4, 2024
• Post category: Scholarly Articles / Tech Updates

Advantages and disadvantages Of online shopping: Information and Communication Technology has revolutionised the lifestyle and activities of individuals and organizations across the world. This is more pronounced in the area of commerce. Commercial activities have been redefined by technology. In years past, the physical  stores were the conventional places where goods and services could be purchased. However, this has changed with the emergence of online stores.  In today’s world, online stores have become the choice markets for shoppers.

There are many advantages which persons who buy goods and services on online stores enjoy. These advantages have been the motivation for the wide adoption of online shopping. On the other hand, there are risks and disadvantages associated with online shopping. Discussed below are the benefits, risks and disadvantages linked to online shopping.

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Table of Contents

Advantages (Merits) of Online Shopping

1. Convenience: This is the greatest benefit of online shopping and its most significant allure. Unlike physical stores where there are usually long queues and delays in the selection of products, online stores give shoppers the chance to select the products of their choice with ease. Shoppers are able to place orders for products within minutes or even seconds.

Another aspect of the convenience which online shopping offers is its round-the-clock availability. Most physical shops lock up before the day runs out. On the contrary, online stores are open every hour of the day and night. Shoppers on online stores therefore enjoy the advantage of being able to make purchases at their most convenient time.

2. Best Prices: Online stores offer buyers a wide range of products. These products are usually sold at prices lower than those obtainable in physical stores. During holidays, festivals and other periods, online stores offer huge discounts, cash backs and coupons to shoppers. Online shops also engage in flash sales. All these give online shoppers the chance to buy products and services at the best prices.

Most online stores are virtual market places where manufacturers advertise and sell their products or offer their services. Shoppers on these stores can transact directly with the manufacturers and service providers. This eliminates the middleman and helps shoppers to save money.

Similarly, different vendors make their goods and services available on online stores. In order to beat the competition and attract more patronage, these vendors cut down on the prices of their products and services. Online shopping gives shoppers the huge advantage of purchasing goods and services at cheap or affordable prices.

Also see: Best online shopping site in the United Kingdom

3. Greater diversity and variety: Physical stores are limited in size and the variety of products they offer. This limits the choice of shoppers and their ability to access diverse set of products. On the other hand, online stores are not limited in size and usually contain limitless number, sizes and forms of products. This is a great benefit of online shopping. Online shoppers are able to buy everything they would love to buy.

In some cases, some goods may not be available in physical shops in a particular territory or country. This limits the ability of people within that territory or country to get products or services of their choice. However, online shopping removes this drawback. Shoppers from any part of the world can access online stores and pay for any product or service without limitations of any kind.

4. Privacy: Online shopping offers shoppers the advantage of making purchases in private space. Unlike physical stores, shoppers on online stores can buy any product or pay for any service without being seen by others. The privacy which online shopping offers is valuable to persons who feel embarrassed buying some kind of goods in a physical store. Online shopping enables everyone to enjoy privacy while buying.

Additionally, online shopping offers a sense of security due to the privacy it offers. Any one can buy luxury goods or spend huge amounts of money on the purchase of goods and services without fear of being exposed to the view of criminals.

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5. Money, Time And Energy Cost: Online shopping helps shoppers save money, energy and time. In addition to the money which shoppers save as a result of discounts and low prices, they also save money on logistics. Transportation costs a lot of money and other resources. This is especially true for shopping outside the country of residence. By enabling shoppers to buy goods and services at any location, online shopping helps them save the money which would have been spent on transportation.

Similarly, online shopping helps shoppers save energy. Getting to a physical store and shopping in it requires a lot of energy. By enabling shoppers to shop at the comfort of their homes or offices, online shopping helps shoppers avoid stress and also conserve their energy. Online shopping also helps to save time by enabling shoppers to shop instantly and save time, which can be used for other activities.

6. Informed choice: Online shopping has a huge advantage of giving shoppers the opportunity to know the important details about a product or service before making a decision. Vendors usually attach pictures and descriptions to their products on online stores. This helps shoppers to know the important features and specifications of the product.

Moreover, most online stores have comment sections where shoppers who have bought a particular product can publish their experiences with the product and their opinions on the product and the vendor. This helps prospective buyers to know about the product and make an informed decision.

7. Avoid Uncomfortable Situations: In a conventional market, it’s common to get caught up in the crowd consisting of other people who also want to make purchases. For people who do not like crowds or dislike so much unnecessary body contact, it can get really uncomfortable. One can avoid all that by shopping online from the comfort of your home.

On the other hand, there is also the issue of seller pressure or influence. This is when the seller pressures a buyer to purchase an item, often by employing strong persuasion or enticing the buyer with promises or discount of low prices. This sometimes results in the buyer purchasing what he doesn’t really need. Most times, the seller persuades the buyer only because he want to make profits and not because he honestly thinks it’s a good choice for the buyer.

With online shopping, there is no such persuasion, and the buyer is able to make his choices without influence from any seller.

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Disadvantages (Demerits) of Online Shopping

There are several benefits of online shopping which have already been discussed. However, there are risks involved in or associated with online shopping. They represent the risks, losses or detriment which may result from online shopping activities.

1. Delays in Delivery: Products purchased on online stores are not made instantly available to shoppers. Such products would require shipping to the customer who paid for them. The shipping of the products usually takes a lot of time either as a result of distance or delay on the part of the shipping or logistics company. The delay in delivery may result in economic loss to the shopper.

2. Loss Or Damage of Goods : Products bought on online stores may be damaged or destroyed in the course of shipping or transportation to the shopper. This may be due to delay in the delivery, accident or negligence of the shipping or logistics company.

In other cases, the products bought on online stores may be lost in transit or delivered to the wrong address.

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3. Cyber Crime: Fraudsters and hackers usually target online shoppers. A shopper may fall victim to credit card fraud, phishing sites, or hackers in the course of shopping. Online shoppers may also suffer identity theft or fraud as a result of shopping on counterfeit e-commerce sites.

4. Inadequacy of Information: Although online stores display pictures of their products, the pictures may not accurately reflect the condition and features of the products. In most cases, the pictures are extensively enhanced and edited and this may deprive the shopper the knowledge of the true conditions of such products.

Also, the descriptions of the products may not adequately or accurately state the condition and features of the products. Some descriptions may be misleading or imprecise. In some cases, the descriptions not be sufficient to help the shopper evaluate the product. The description may be inadequate for ascertaining the texture, durability or quality of the product.

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5. Lack Of Opportunity to Bargain: Online stores do not give shoppers the opportunity to bargain with vendors concerning the prices of the products. This is unlike physical stores or markets where shoppers can haggle for lower prices.

6. Lack Of Experience: There are some products which are better experienced before being bought. For example, it is more desirable to try out a clothe or feel a piece of furniture before buying them. Online stores do not offer shoppers the opportunity to test, inspect or touch their products before making their orders.

7. Increased Internet Time: This generation of technology users are already spending an excessive amount of screen time, and online shoot only makes this worse. It’s easy to sucked into staying longer than planned on the internet when shopping online. This is probably because of all the amazing offers and products available on online stores.

Before we conclude, I would like you to quickly go through the video below for more points on the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping.

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In conclusion, there is no doubt that online shopping has become a preferred means of purchasing goods and services. It is efficient, cost-effective and accessible to everyone across the world. These benefits and more are being taken advantage of by millions shoppers who rely on online stores for their supply of goods or services.

However, there are risks associated with online shopping. These include fraud, delayed delivery of goods, and damage of goods during shipping. Those who wish to purchase goods or pay for services using online platforms must ensure that they use only reliable e-commerce sites and when appropriate, resort to physical or conventional stores and markets for their needs.

Edeh Samuel Chukwuemeka, ACMC, is a lawyer and a certified mediator/conciliator in Nigeria. He is also a developer with knowledge in various programming languages. Samuel is determined to leverage his skills in technology, SEO, and legal practice to revolutionize the legal profession worldwide by creating web and mobile applications that simplify legal research. Sam is also passionate about educating and providing valuable information to people.

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It is very good line and we are all students the understanding for a advantage and disadvantages for a online shopping

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20 Pros and Cons of Shopping Online

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There are tons of online shopping sites where you can buy everything from plane tickets and flat-screen TVs to food, clothes, furniture, office supplies, movies, and lots more. While shopping online is convenient and fun, there are some disadvantages. Know the cons to realize the benefits of shopping at a traditional store.

The Pros of Shopping Online

There are, of course, distinct advantages of online shopping:

Time Convenience

In comparison to a brick-and-mortar store with fixed hours, online shopping venues are available any time, day or night. This is especially useful for parents with small children, anyone who works throughout the day, and during times of inclement weather.

Shopping Apps

Shopping from an app is a convenient luxury. Whether you're homebound or able to visit a store, shopping from your phone is a uniquely awesome experience.

Price Comparisons

When you visit a store, you most likely settle for whatever price the vendor has placed on a particular item. With online shopping, you can compare prices from hundreds of different vendors. Grocery store price comparison apps are a great option if you're not interested in doing this manually.

Discounts and Notifications

Online stores want to keep you as a customer, so they may offer deep discounts, rewards, and cash back if you sign up for their newsletters. This can keep you updated on all the best upcoming sales. Coupon codes—like the ones you can get from coupon code sites —are also extremely popular when shopping online.

Infinite Choice

Shelf space in a physical store is limited, which means the variety of goods is limited. This isn't true with online stores, where choices are abundant. If you don't see what you want at one store online, move on to the next one. As the consumer, you have the power to do that.

No Size Limitation

Another benefit is when the product you want to buy is too big to haul in your vehicle. Buying a boat from an auction site or ordering a tiny home online are just two examples of situations where your car just won't do the job.

Private Shopping

Ordering online is the preferred way to get something discreetly. Nobody has to see what you're filling your cart with, and some places even offer inconspicuous packaging so your delivery person is also none the wiser.

Zero Parking Struggles

Finding a parking spot can be a big reason you don't stop at a store. Especially around the holidays, there's a major benefit of no congestion when shopping online. When it's really busy, you might not even remember where you parked your car !

Home Delivery for the Disabled

Buying oversized items and not having to worry about parking are benefits everyone can take advantage of, but if you're physically disabled to the point that you can't drive or walk through a store, online shopping might be your only solution to ordering food, essential items, and other goods.

Easy Access to Consumer Reviews

It's easy to access consumer reviews for pretty much any product you can think of online, which makes for informed purchases. If you're not sure if you're up to buying something, conduct a little research by checking out customer reviews.

No Pressure Sales

If you don't want to experience awkward approaches by eager salespeople, you don't have to put up with that online. While you could consider pop-up ads a similar experience, they're a bit easier to suppress. Car auction websites are a great example of this.

Fewer Impulse Buys

This one depends on your shopping habits. If you find it easier to buy things you see in passing as you walk through a store's aisles, online shopping could save you money and even help you make healthier choices.

More Payment Methods

Another benefit of online shopping is that you can pay for things differently than you can at a physical store. Some retailers support PayPal, Bitcoin, or zero-interest payment plans, for example.

The Cons of Shopping Online

Here are a few disadvantages of internet shopping that might deter you from making your next purchase online:

No Inspection Ability

Things you order online could be larger or smaller than how they appear in the pictures, or the measurements listed for the product could have been written down incorrectly. And when you buy clothes online, you can't feel the material, see how it fits around your waist, or notice how it's made. Most online stores make it easy to return items for this reason.

Can't Always Talk to Someone Immediately

If you have a question about what you're about to order, or what you just ordered, you can't just walk up to an employee. You might instead have to wait a full day or longer to get your question answered. This situation is improving, however, as many sites have added an instant chat service or automated bot-answering screen to address concerns and answer questions on the spot.

Must Wait for Delivery

Need something no later than this afternoon? Not many online shopping sites have same-day delivery, and none of them offer the on-the-spot, take-home advantage that a physical store does. Some online shopping sites take weeks to deliver your order (though, they're in the minority).

Shipping Problems

You're more likely to have your package arrive broken, wet, melted, etc., or not arrive at all, when you're not the one who picked it up yourself. Even packages that do arrive could sit outside long enough for theft to occur.

Shipping Costs

Depending on what you buy, you could spend the same amount on just shipping costs, or sometimes even more. In-store shopping has no need to charge extra for shipping. Plus, depending on where you live, you might pay a bit more due to special taxes for online shopping.

Privacy and Security

Privacy and security are legitimate concerns for any online shopper. Your payment information could get stolen from the site, or someone who works there could copy your bank details and use them later on their own purchases. It's also hard to immediately recognize whether an online store is real or just there to scam you.

There are precautions you can take when shopping online to make the experience more secure. For example, pay attention to whether the site uses HTTPS , and protect your online accounts with secure, but different , passwords.

Legality Concerns

While this isn't a widespread problem, you could accidentally buy something that's illegal where you live. The product might very well be available from the website you're on, but it could also be illegal to order in your area. It's much easier for a website to offer these kinds of products than a store because websites can be created quickly and hosted all over the world with less oversight or concern for international shoppers.

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Advantages of Online Shopping

Comparison shopping: the power of choice.

Time-Saving Convenience: A Modern Necessity

Disadvantages of online shopping, additional costs and waiting times: the price of convenience, insecure shopping: protecting personal information.

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Top Disadvantages of Online Shopping

The advantages of online shopping are clear—whether it’s the convenience, ease, or availability of online coupons and discounts, there are plenty of reasons people buy things online .

As an ecommerce business, offering your buyers the perks of online shopping helps to attract them to your store. But if you’re looking to succeed, the flip side of the coin must also be considered. As easy as online shopping may be, shortcomings remain. Knowing what these are is a first step to overcoming them and, hopefully, removing a barrier to sales.

This begs the question—what are the disadvantages of online shopping?

Ecommerce disadvantages: Top eight

Cons of online shopping

1. can’t touch/feel products (46%).

According to a recent survey , not being able to physically inspect and touch products before purchasing them tops the list of the disadvantages of online shopping. As many as 46% of consumers surveyed say this is a drawback of purchasing items online. This sensory gap often makes it difficult to assess the true quality, texture, and fit of products, leading to buyer hesitation and dissatisfaction.

2. Unsure of the quality (45%)

The second biggest disadvantage of online shopping is somewhat related to the first. 45% of consumers say that buying products online poses a problem when they cannot be sure of the quality of the items they’re acquiring. Without the ability to examine items firsthand, shoppers must rely on descriptions, reviews, and images, which may not always provide an accurate representation.

3. Complicated returns process (34%)

The logistics of returning products can be cumbersome, with 34% of respondents citing it as a disadvantage of online shopping. Complicated return processes, restocking fees, and delays in receiving refunds contribute to consumer frustration. This complexity often discourages customers from making future purchases, especially if the return experience is poor.

4. Shipping problems (32%)

Shipping issues rank high on the list of online shopping problems, with 32% of consumers highlighting this concern. Delays, lost packages, and high shipping costs can mar the online shopping experience. Additionally, the anticipation of receiving a product can be dampened by these logistical hurdles, leading to dissatisfaction.

5. Fraud risk (31%)

Given the increase in ecommerce fraud in recent years, it’s no surprise that digital scams also rank among the top disadvantages of online shopping. According to the survey, 31% of shoppers see fraud as a disadvantage of online shopping. Scammers may create fake websites or ads, tricking consumers into purchasing non-existent products. To mitigate this risk, it is advisable to use credit cards for online transactions and avoid sellers who only accept money transfers or cryptocurrencies.

6. Does not support local retailers (23%)

Many digital buyers also have a preference for purchasing from local retailers. Nearly one in four buyers (23%) lament the inability to support local businesses through online shopping. Many consumers prefer to contribute to their local economy and feel that ecommerce often sidelines small, local retailers. This disconnection can lead to a preference for in-store shopping where local support is more evident.

7. Bad for the environment (16%)

The environmental impact of online shopping is a concern for 16% of respondents. Packaging waste, carbon emissions from deliveries, and the environmental cost of returns contribute to this negative perception. Consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the ecological footprint of their purchases and seek more sustainable shopping options.

8. No sales assistance/the shopping experience isn't as good (13%)

Completing the list of the top ecommerce disadvantages is the experience. About 13% of shoppers express disappointment with the online shopping experience, particularly the lack of immediate sales assistance. Unlike in physical stores, online shoppers do not have access to real-time help from sales associates, which can make it harder to make informed purchasing decisions.

Top disadvantages of ecommerce: summary

While online shopping offers many advantages, it is important to acknowledge and address its disadvantages. By understanding these challenges and implementing effective solutions, ecommerce businesses can enhance the online shopping experience and build greater consumer trust.

Of the eight biggest disadvantages of online shopping, three are related to the absence of physical contact, two are related to logistics, and the remaining pertain to social, environmental, and fraud issues.

Want to learn more?

• Top 10 Online Shopping Sites
• Top Factors That Influence Consumer Purchasing Decisions
• How Many People Shop Online in 2024?
• Top Retail Challenges

Essay on Online Shopping Advantages and Disadvantages

Essay on online shopping for students and children . In this article, ‘ Online Shopping Essay ‘ students will read the meaning , advantages and disadvantages of online shopping . A Paragraph on precautions during online shopping must be understood carefully to escape online fraud.

Meaning of Online Shopping

In our childhood stories, we were told that Santa used to deliver gifts to kids to fulfil their wishes. Nobody imagined that this could happen in real life also. But modern science has made it possible in today’s world. This is known by various names like digital shopping, online shopping, e-commerce, online purchasing, internet shopping etc. It is exactly like our routine shopping except that here the buyer does not visit the shopkeeper’s place. Rather the full store is sent to the buyer on his laptop or mobile phone through a website .

History of Online Shopping

The first secure online transaction was done in the year 1994. Immediately after that in 1995 Amazon and e-bay launched their shopping sites. Amazon.com, e-bay, Flipkart, Paytm Mall, Snapdeal, Myntra, Jabong.com, Bigbasket.com, Urbanclap, and Yebhi.com are the names of famous online shopping portals. With the availability of smartphones and cheaper internet packages, online shopping has taken a place in everyone’s life.

What Can You Buy Online

A large number of people buy almost everything from groceries to gold on the internet. One needs just basic knowledge to operate a cell phone and he/she can enjoy shopping while sitting at home. Earlier people were afraid of losing their money for paying for an article that they were not viewing physically. But the option of cash on delivery has done away with that fear. An option of EMI (equated monthly instalments) that is to pay in smaller instalments is also available at most of the shopping sites. People who can’t pay the full price of the product in one go can still buy the product through an online EMI scheme. Besides buying goods we can buy online services also. For example, the services of beauticians, plumbers, electricians, and home-maids can also be arranged online through various sites. It is so easy that even kids can shop online.

Online Shopping by Mobile Apps

Nowadays all the e-commerce sites have launched their mobile apps to make it even easier. Open the app, click on the items that you wish to buy and proceed to checkout and shopping is done. The day and date of delivery will be mentioned there. The most interesting part is that change and return options are also available here like our physical shopping. With each and every passing day, more buyers are getting attracted to online purchasing because it has a long list of benefits.

Advantages Of Online Shopping | Pros of Online Shopping

• gives access to a wide variety of products, prices and features compared with similar products.
• saves time and we can devote our time towards more productive causes.
• saves fuel and becomes the reason for less pollution and traffic jam.
• We need not wait for our weekly off because online stores are 24 hours open.
• We can read the reviews of a product if there is any doubt regarding its quality.
• Goods are relatively cheaper at online stores because their maintenance expenses are almost negligible.
• Online shopping companies offer their customers ample deals to sell their products like offering cash backs, lucky draws, festive sales, huge discounts and whatnot!
• Big celebrities are often seen doing advertisements on these shopping sites to attract customers.
• The buyer can choose from the goods and services available on the website and get them delivered directly to his/her place after making the payment. Or one can choose ‘the cash-on-delivery (COD) option.
• People can buy in the wee hours, that is, even after midnight.

There are many advantages of online shopping but as every coin has two sides, online shopping is no exception. It has some disadvantages also, which are discussed below:

Disadvantages of Online Shopping | Cons of Online Shopping

A few people might experience the following disadvantages of online shopping which spoil their fun and comfort of online shopping. But, certain precautions and vigilant behaviour are a prerequisite to fully exploring the horizon of internet shopping.

• Cases of delivering damaged products are reported.
• Shipping problems delayed deliveries and high delivery charges
• fraudulent payments and hacking of personal information
• No salesperson to help while selecting
• Online buying does not let small and local shopkeepers come on upfront. Big business houses are taking away their portion of sales through online buying.

Precautions Before Online Shopping

By following certain precautionary steps one can avoid these disadvantages of online shopping. Always buy from trusted websites, read reviews and users’ comments from various sites, and read product features and return policies thoroughly. It is evident now that the positive side overshadows the negative side. Happy online shopping.

Please let us know if this  Essay on Online Shopping  helped in your studies. You can share your self-written essays with us. We encourage young writers by publishing their content for free. Can you suggest more advantages and disadvantages of online shopping ?

Online Shopping Essay (Word-Meaning)

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Essay on Online Shopping in 100, 200, and 300 Words.

• Updated on  
• Dec 23, 2023

Shopping is something that many people love. It is particularly cherished during festive occasions such as Diwali, Navratri, Christmas or New Year etc. The shopping world has changed and evolved majorly providing us with various options of the same. The convenience of online shopping platforms has now come into play. Those days when individuals have to take on a long journey of shopping are now past us, all thanks to the various online shopping platforms that are now at the tip of our fingers. This is just a brief introduction to how to write an essay on online shopping. Now let’s have a look at the samples of essay on online shopping.  

Table of Contents

• 1 Essay on Online Shopping in 100 words
• 2 Essay on Online Shopping in 200 words
• 3 Essay on Online Shopping in 300 words
• 4 Advantages

Essay on Online Shopping in 100 words

The way of shopping has been revolutionized by online shopping. It has made it possible and convenient to shop virtually from literally anywhere. 

The sheer convenience of shopping is one of the biggest advantages of online shopping. For those individuals who are busy and struggle to find time to visit stores, online shopping is a boon. 

Payments are easy this way with the variety of options available such as debit card, cash on delivery, etc. However, there are some drawbacks to online shopping as well. One of them is the delivery of the wrong item or a different item than that seen online. So one should be cautious and should make informed decisions.

Also Read:- My Aim in Life

Essay on Online Shopping in 200 words

In today’s world, as science and technology are progressing, a lot of things have become more convenient for us. One such thing is online shopping. Over the years due to its high demand and convenience, it has become very popular. It involves virtually placing an order on any e-commerce website without the need to go to a physical store. Various items such as shoes, gadgets, household products, and even groceries can be ordered from the comfort of your couch.  

Some of the key benefits of online shopping are mentioned below:-

• Crowd Avoided:- since online shopping is virtual, going to crowded places is avoided.
• Convenience:- we can shop from the convenience of our homes.
• Variety in products:- on different platforms, a vast range of products is available. 
• Variety in payment options:- Debit card, cash on delivery, etc payment options make it all the more convenient.

Although there are many pros of online shopping, there are some drawbacks as well. There have been many instances where wrong or damaged goods got delivered. There can be instances where a product may not match its depiction when delivered in terms of color, etc. 

Some websites even scam people and are fraudulent. Hence, it is important to take caution while shopping online. 

Also Read:- Essay on Pollution

Essay on Online Shopping in 300 words

During the 1990s, the concept of online shopping came into play and since then, it has grown exponentially. Its principle lies in the ease of browning a wide variety of products on various e-commerce platforms. The e-commerce platforms have played a central role in enabling different businesses to connect with a global audience. 

There are various advantages of online shopping, one of them being the ease of online shopping. With virtual stores, you can shop whenever you want and from wherever you want. The limitations of time don’t apply to the online stores. They are accessible 24/7.

Wide Range of Products

When you shop online, you don’t have to limit yourself to only some products. Online shopping opens a portal to a wide range of products to select from.

Saves time and money

When you shop online, you don’t have to go to stores. You can shop from the comfort of your couch. That saves time. And generally, online stores have some kind of offers and discounts going on which saves you money. 

Although online shopping has many advantages, there are also certain cons that it carries with it. Some of those cons are mentioned below:-

Shipping issues

There can issues with the shipping such as the product may get damaged during its shipping or it may get delivered to the wrong address.

Return Policies

If the product is different and the customer wants to return it or get a refund, there can be certain policies that prevent the same. 

Different item Delivery

There can be instances where the product, when delivered, is different from the one shown in the images online. Returning the same can be a hassle too as it has to be repacked for some resellers. 

Hence, when shopping online one should always be cautious and take calculated decisions. 

Also Read:- Importance of Internet

Also Read: How to Prepare for UPSC in 6 Months?

Ans: Essay on Online Shopping in 100 words The way of shopping has been revolutionised by online shopping. It has made it possible and convenient to shop virtually from literally anywhere.  The sheer convenience of shopping is one of the biggest advantages of online shopping. For those individuals who are busy and struggle to find time to visit stores, online shopping is a boon.  Payments are easy this way with the variety of options available such as debit card, cash on delivery, etc. However, there are some drawbacks to online shopping as well. One of them benign the delivery of the wrong item or a different item than that seen online. So one should be cautious and should make informed decisions.

Ans: Online shopping can be explained as virtually buying of products from an e-commerce platform without going to the physical store.

Ans: Some of the key advantages of online shopping are mentioned below:- -Crowd Avoided:- since online shopping is virtual, going to crowded places is avoided. -Convenience:- we can shop from the convenience of our homes. -Variety in products:- on different platforms, a vast range of products is available.  -Variety in payment options:- Debit card, cash on delivery, etc payment options make it all the more convenient.

Related Reads:

This brings us to the end of our blog on Essay on Online Shopping. Hope you find this information useful. For more information on such informative topics for your school, visit our essay writing and follow Leverage Edu.

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Online shopping essay with advantages and disadvantages

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Advantages of online shopping

Disadvantages of online shopping, malaysia e-commerce consumer and industry analysis, online shopping websites in malaysia, online shopping essay, advantages and disadvantages of online shopping.

The concept of the world being a global village is known to everyone today. The people of the world connect with each other within a matter of seconds with the biggest invention of mankind- the internet. It has not only removed the regional boundaries but has also dismissed the long process of postcards or writing letters to people sitting in foreign lands. Now, technological advancements have given birth to a virtual world. This world consists of everything and possesses the capability to connect everybody. From online communication to sending gifts to online shopping, the virtual space connects people all around in the most effective way. One can shop for food, clothes , land, cars, home or even get admission in schools or colleges online. All these expansions of the online world have given wings to the human possibilities to reach places piles away.

Online shopping, in simple terms, can be defined as the process through which any person can shop virtually anywhere. It is with the help of an e-commerce process in which the consumers are allowed to make a direct purchase of any type of goods or services. The purchase is generally made through a certified seller, who markets his products with the help of a web browser.

Online shopping has been growing ever since its conception. However, in recent times, when everything has got shut, and there is a huge risk to go out in the market, online shopping has come out to be a life-saving solution. It is with the help of online present websites that people are placing orders for their daily needs. The list of shopping items constitutes the smallest of the kitchen spices to the clothes to even the laptops or other electronic gadgets. The dependency on online shopping has increased significantly over the years. Following are a few of the advantages of online shopping.

One of the biggest advantages of online shopping is that the buyer does not have to wait for the parking or stand in ques. He can simply place an order online and pay for the things. The entire process of selecting, buying, and paying can be done through the medium of online websites only. This saves a lot of time which a person has to spend while going to the market and traveling from one place to another.

Saves energy

Along with saving time, the online shopping method saves a lot of energy also. It helps a person to sort his shopping list sitting in one place. It even saves a person from getting exhausted from the continuous shopping process.

Everything is available in a matter of seconds

The process of shopping online does not take a long time. As already mentioned, it saves a lot of time, and it even allows a person to check out in a few minutes only. Once a person has shortlisted an item, he just needs to make the payment for the same, and the order is placed. The same product gets delivered to his address in a stipulated time.

Thousands of choices for the same product

In addition to saving time and energy, online shopping gives a person a number of options. The various e-commerce websites come with multiple filters, which allows the customer to bifurcate his choice of products, and the system produces a list of the results. This way, it gets easy for the consumer to choose the set of products from a huge variety. Along with this, the various competition lines that are present for one brand further increases the options for the buyer. He can hold on to his purchase at one site while surfing the options on the other.

The increase in competition has resulted in producing a number of deals for the buyer. Every day, various websites give multiple deals to their users. These deals are based upon the data collected by the website about the likes and dislikes of the user. Thus, the deals almost strike straight to the interest of the users.

No time limit

One other advantage of online shopping is that it does not limit the buyer to any time frame. One can anytime shop for his products depending on his convenience and place an order for the products or services he needs.

In addition to the advantages of online shopping, there are few disadvantages also. These are listed below:

Uncertainty of the quality of the product

The concept of online shopping is virtual, which means the consumer cannot touch or feel the product he is going to buy. He has to go with the authenticity of the brand he is making a purchase for. This means that the quality of the product is always doubtful. Therefore, it is suggested that one should always place a product of the recognised brands from the online websites. Also, one can visit the company websites of the brands and make the respective purchase directly.

High possibility of the wrong delivery of products

The chances of human error are high in the case of online shopping is high. The errors are generally in the form of wrong delivery of size, colour, or even the entire product goes wrong. There have been many cases where the websites have wrongly delivered the products of their customers to the wrong address.

Many websites do not return or exchange

Online shopping does not guarantee the accuracy or the quality of the product. Therefore, it is very important for online shopping websites to have the arrangement of return and exchange. It gives the buyer the flexibility to choose the product of his choice in replacement for the product he has already paid for.

Risk of online scam

E-commerce websites come with a risk of the misuse of the money paid by the buyer. There can be times when the buyer pays to the brand, but it goes somewhere else due to the hacking bug. Otherwise, also, there are many websites that are not credible, and they carry out fraudulent practices. Therefore, trusting the very platform of e-commerce websites is a question in itself.

No power in the hands of the buyer- no bargaining power

In the case of online shopping, the price of the product is fixed. There are simply no chances for the buyer to propose his side of the bargain. He does not hold any say in finalising the payment of the product. He has to pay whatever is mentioned on the page. This refrains the buyer from his fundamental right to bargain for the price of the product.

The e-commerce industry of Malaysia is growing rapidly, which can be credited to the statistics produced by the country’s statistics department. Also, Malaysia has been recognised as the fastest-growing e-commerce market in the entire southeast Asia region. The country experiences 85.7%, the highest internet penetrations, and 140% as its mobile penetration. In the respective region. Additionally, the country’s e-commerce is expected to grow rapidly in the times to come.

Adding on, as per the latest reports, the country is set to experience a market of 3.91 billion U.S. dollars in the year 2020 alone. This is surely a very positive figure which is attracting even more consumers and business investors in the market of Malaysia.

As per a research firm named Forrester, the online retail market of Southeast Asia is expected to experience a compound annual growth rate of 23%. This means that the market will touch the whooping numbers of $53 billion by 2023.

This clearly signals that the e-commerce market of Malaysia is grooming to an advanced level. In fact, many companies from across the world are investing in the online market of Malaysia. In recent years, Malaysia has emerged as one of the mature spaces in the markets of ASEAN countries. It was after Woocommerce sellers got more power, companies like Shopee, Tokopedia, Amazon, Lazada, e- bay, among many others, bagged the title of Malaysia e-commerce websites.

Further, the online shopping market of Malaysia is well designed and gives retailers a lot of opportunities to showcase their products on a large scale. With the strong establishment of some major e-commerce giants such as Lazada, e- bay, Lelong, among others, the marketplaces have evolved to a great extent. These have created even more interest for the users as they get to experience seamless shopping with multiple options under the same roof. (Tiwari, Tiwari, Sinha and Gupta, 2020)

Moreover, the online shoppers of Malaysia prefer to shop through mobile phones. This has resulted in an entirely new industry called Mobile commerce. This very growth has pushed the numbers of digital commerce to a great extent in Malaysia. Some of the other major shopping trends of Malaysia include:

• There are more than 80% of the shoppers who prefer to select and make purchases through their mobile phones.
• There are at least 59% of the online shoppers who like to spend on shopping at least once a month.
• Malaysian men have been found to shop more than women.
• 48% of the fashionistas consist of girls and single women in the country of Malaysia (Tiwari, Tiwari, Sinha & Gupta, 2020).

The number of online shopping websites in Malaysia has grown since the evolution of the marketplace in 2000. There is a long list of categories from which the shoppers can choose in the Malaysian digital market. From electronics & media to food and personal care to furniture and even toys and other DIY items can be looked for in the websites at the Malaysian culture marketplace.

The presence of online websites in Malaysia has been increasing ever since the increase in mobile users. People love to shop through their mobile phones. This is the reason even the world-renowned e-commerce players like e- bay and amazon enjoy a strong reputation in the Malaysian market. Few of the top e-commerce websites in Malaysia are

The field of online shopping is emerging fastly in recent times. In fact, people are getting more dependent on the culture of online shopping with each passing day. Same way, the Malaysian e-commerce marketplace is experiencing a great wave of improvement. Further, most of the students are always confused about how to write essay introduction , so our Assignment help section provides an example of the essay on the e-commerce sector in Malaysia for the college assignment of students.

Malaysia- a place experiencing true expansion in e-commerce

Introduction.

The internet market in the present world is one of the prime reasons for all companies to grow even during times of global pandemic. With the entire world coming to a halt, it is through the effective presence of online websites on all the digital platforms that people are still leading a normal life. The very existence of the online market has given a boost to the business world. One country, which has witnessed high growth in the marketplace due to e-commerce setup is Malaysia. This country has achieved greater success in a relatively short span of time. In fact, it has proven that internet penetration can act as a definite booster for businesses of the world. The country has showcased a true example of how a country expands its business by enabling a strong and effective penetration of the internet. This article supports the very statement by presenting supportive arguments for it.

Thesis statement The Malaysian e-commerce industry has witnessed a huge boost in its business in the last few years. It is much because of the better and strong internet penetration in the various areas of the country. It is due to the better access to the internet and the strong presence of the digital market that the country’s e-commerce sector is surging continuously. At the same time, some people undermine the details and contradict the statements. This essay presents the growth of the e-commerce sector in Malaysia and exhibits how its strong penetration has led to the growth of the internet market.

The Internet market of Malaysia is expected to see 3.91 billion U.S. dollars in the present year of 2020, as per the latest reports presented by Statista. This supports the fact that the internet is one of the biggest revolutionary changes that the world is witnessing in the present times. From making changes in the lifestyle of the common man to bringing changes in the business opportunities of the world, the internet has transformed the basics of human existence in Malaysia. ("Top 10 Ecommerce & Online Shopping Sites in Malaysia [2020 Updated]", 2020) Almost every business has come online in Malaysia, giving a boost to the e-commerce market value of the country. This particular segment of the business has yielded strong benefits for the people of every country. It has helped the people to come under the same roof and shop for things virtually. This has been much possible because of the strong reach of the internet to even the smallest areas of the country. The upfront investment and smart steps of the Malaysian government have resulted in making the internet spread an achievable dream for the common man of the country. In fact, Malaysia has been believed to have the most extensive spread of the internet, due to which the country is expected to experience a whopping growth of 20.8% in 2020.

The Malaysian e-commerce market has a client base from both the local and global markets. This results in bringing great business opportunities for the brands selling on the internet. Websites like Shopee, Lazada, PrestoMall, Tokopedia, Qoo10, eBay, Amazon, including others, have significantly impressive clientele in the Malaysian e-commerce market. (Aprameya & Aprameya, 2020) The deep and strong penetration of the internet through social media platforms is one fundamental reason for this change. Also, there is no denying the fact that social media plays an important role in multiplying the business of online businesses. It is through the global reach of the social media platforms that online websites are now catching the attention of the global market. As per the reports of Statista, the social media users of Malaysia are expected to rise from 22.7 million in 2017 to 26.10 million in 2023. This certifies the fact the Malaysian market is sure to soar high in recent times. This is more possible because of the constant rise in the number of social media users. Further, the dependence of people on online resources is high, due to which the growth of the business is highly appreciated. (Tiwari, Tiwari, Sinha & Gupta, 2020)

The strong internet penetration has also resulted in bringing in more categories to the shopping list. ("Malaysia: internet penetration rate 2019 | Statista", 2020) The Malaysian e-commerce market today enlists a strong variety of products. It gives its user the choice to buy a small necessity like a towel to an electronic device like a TV. It even provides the choice to the user to buy his grocery items or even products for the fancy needs. Moreover, the convenience and the ease that a person experiences while shopping online is much more relaxing as compared to the one while actually going to the supermarket. Further, the very concept of online shopping presents multiple options to the users. It gives the person the opportunity to explore options from various brands for the same product. Not only a person gets to compare the prices of the product, but he also gets the chance to read the views of the customers present on the various online sites.

On the contrary, there are people who say that internet penetration has resulted in bringing losses to the offline and other business markets of the world. According to them, not every business person can grow his business using online methods. Moreover, the publicity and the expansion of business online require a certain amount of investment and time devotion. Further, it is a skill, which takes time to adapt. Therefore, the old and the established markets that do not have online shops are going through continuous losses. Also, at one place where the online market has seen a boost in recent years, the offline market has gone variably down. The people are shifting their preferences. Moreover, there are still some places in Malaysia where internet penetration has not been possible. These places again stay refrained from the advantages of online shopping.

Overall, it can be concluded that the online shopping market is one growing area, which has led to great benefits for the world. It has helped the companies survive through the difficult times and have even aided their employees well in bearing their family expenses. Moreover, the online Malaysian e-commerce market is a true example that with strong internet penetration and access to the people, it is possible for the companies to boost their businesses. The governments of the world should focus on strong penetration even in other parts of the world. This would help the e-commerce industry to grow even more and the smaller businesses to emerge higher in the coming years.

The online market is a business that has brought an evolution in the growth of the businesses of the world. The promising results of online businesses have pushed almost every sector to establish its presence in the online world. Moreover, it has been a welcoming journey for the shoppers to experience the much relatable convenience and ease while shopping online. However, companies should try to overcome the disadvantages of online shopping and come with effective solutions. Also, the underdeveloped nations should also introduce changes that help in promoting online shopping in less popular areas also. This will give a collective boost to the online shopping industry and help the world to fetch its fruitful results.

• Tiwari, S., Tiwari, S., Sinha, A., & Gupta, A. (2020). eCommerce Trends and Opportunities in Malaysia Uncovered!. Retrieved 7 October 2020, from https://cedcommerce.com/blog/how-to-win-ecommerce-malaysia/#ecommerce-platforms-malaysia
• shopping, O., & Shopping, A. (2020). What are the advantages and disadvantages of online shopping? Retrieved 10 October 2020, from http://grabonlinesales.com/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-online-shopping/
• Marketing Signal Lab. 2020. Top 10 Ecommerce & Online Shopping Sites In Malaysia [2020 Updated]. [online] Available at: https: marketingsignallab.com top-ecommerce-sites-in-malaysia [Accessed 10 October 2020].
• Aprameya, A., & Aprameya, A. (2020). Ecommerce in Malaysia : Growth, Trends & Opportunities. Retrieved 10 October 2020, from https://www.capillarytech.com/blog/capillary/ecommerce/ecommerce-in-malaysia-growth/
• Malaysia: internet penetration rate 2019 | Statista. (2020). Retrieved 10 October 2020, from https://www.statista.com/statistics/975058/internet-penetration-rate-in-malaysia/

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Advantages of Online Shopping

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The Truth About Online Shopping and Its Environmental Impact

Global e-commerce has grown steadily over the past decade. The COVID-19 pandemic has pushed the sector even more, triggering changes in consumer behaviour and leading to staggering records in sales. Big companies such as Amazon, Alibaba, and Walmart have monopolised online shopping and increased consumers’ expectations. Nowadays, they expect goods to be delivered on the same day and to return them without cost. Digitalisation and technological innovations have indeed allowed the industry to do what was believed to be impossible just a few decades ago. However, this revolution comes with high costs for our planet. We take a look at the growing trends in online shopping and its environmental impact. 

Modern Consumerism

We are living in a time when consumerism is at its finest. The digitalisation of modern life as well as new, innovative technologies have completely transformed the way in which people shop. In the past decade, the number of digital buyers has climbed at an unprecedented pace, turning e-commerce into a multibillion-dollar industry. Furthermore, since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, digital channels, which were already growing at a steady pace, have become by far the most popular shopping alternative for consumers around the world, sparking an extraordinary increase in online purchases. In June 2020, global retail e-commerce traffic reached a record 22 billion monthly visits and a staggering US$26.7 trillion in sales . 

By the end of this year, Asia is set to account for 50% of the world’s total online retail sales, most of which take place in China , currently the world’s leading country by retail e-commerce sales. Singles’ Day, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday are just a few examples of the initiatives that push consumers to buy more and more goods. During these shopping “events”, retailers that have monopolised the global economy such as Amazon, Walmart and Alibaba, as well as smaller companies that  are trying to keep up with this trend to stay afloat within the industry, deliberately and accurately orchestrate sales by pressuring people to purchase products under the spell of discounts and limited time. Even though this year these three events, which all take place in November, recorded enormous online sales worldwide and in China, where Singles’ Day – or ‘Double 11’ – has seen a record 540.3 billion yuan (US$84.4 billion) in sales, online traffic has dropped from 2020. Experts describe this drop as a consequence of a change in the consumers’ behaviour, as they have started buying their Christmas gifts much earlier in the season for fears about the supply chain . 

Indeed, over the past two years, major shipping companies have had a hard time keeping up with the demand and they have been struggling to deliver packages all over the world. The global supply chain is at a breaking point and, unless consumers change their shopping attitude and their expectations when buying online, the crisis is likely to reach a point of no return. And as much as big corporations are easily blamed for this crisis, consumers are equally responsible. 

There are three key differentiators that consumers seek when buying online: price, speed, and convenience. Amazon, the world’s leading online marketplace in terms of traffic, has found the perfect formula to satisfy all three of them, by training its customers into believing that free and fast shipping is something they should have, thus forcing smaller retailers to adopt the same strategy in order to keep up with giant competitors. While buying online was initially a way to find the best deals, with innovation and technology, e-commerce has turned into a fast machine conceived to satisfy more and more consumers’ demands and expectations. In September 2021, several industry groups representing over 65 million transport workers wrote an open letter to heads of state at the United Nations General Assembly, warning that, if this trend continues to grow at the same rate, global transport systems are going to collapse. 

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The Issue of Over-Packaging

The online shopping addiction of modern consumers is not only leading the global supply chain to a point of no return, but it is also having a huge environmental impact with huge catastrophic consequences on our planet. Indeed, with the boom in online shopping came, not surprisingly, huge environmental issues. The effects can be seen worldwide. However, there is one country where the industry’s repercussions on the environment are particularly visible: China. The country’s e-commerce success is unmatched worldwide, with experts predicting that 52,1% of the country’s retail sales will come from online shopping in 2021 . The success is mainly attributed to China’s rapid evolution of the internet and the digitalisation of payment systems. However, as the country’s e-commerce is able to generate hundreds of billions of dollars in revenue from a single shopping day like Double 11, environmental groups warn consumers that this shopping extravaganza comes at a dramatic cost to the planet. 

Products’ packaging contributes in large part to CO2 emissions from producing plastics, polluting ecosystems as well as adding enormous amounts of waste to our landfills. 3 billion trees are pulped yearly to produce 241 million tons of shipping cartons, the forest conservation group Canopy found. And of the 86 million tons of plastic packaging produced globally each year, not even 14% is recycled . As for China, statistics from the State Post Bureau showed that the country’s courier handled 83 billion express parcels in 2020 alone, which accounted for 1.8 million tonnes of plastic waste and nearly 10 million tonnes of paper waste. In Hong Kong alone, 780 million pieces of packaging waste from online shopping was generated over the course of 2020, according to a recent study by the local group Green Sense . The study also showed that, on average, 2.18 pieces of packaging were used for each product in the same year, mostly consisting of mixed materials, which are hard to recycle. As space for landfills become scarcer, China is struggling to keep up with the growing e-commerce waste mountain. Companies such as Alibaba are thus developing more sustainable packaging, trying to reverse the trend while the Chinese government is taking steps to regulate packaging standards.

The Impact of Shipping Goods

Shipping emission is another online shopping environmental impact to consider. The transport of goods across the world is responsible for a huge portion of CO2 emissions generated by e-commerce. In 2020, the shipping and return of products accounted for 37% of the total GHG emissions . The major problem can be attributed, once again, to the consumers’ appetite for convenience. It is estimated that by 2030, the number of delivery vehicles will increase by 36%, reaching approximately 7.2 million vehicles. This will not only result in an increase of about 6 million tonnes of CO2 emissions, but it will also increase commutes by 21%, as vehicles will take longer to travel due to higher traffic congestion.

The real problem, however, lies in fast shipping. As new technologies improve the transport of goods and make it as fast as it had ever been before, more and more consumers request same-day and instant deliveries, two options that have been growing 36% and 17% annually , respectively. These two options, as the World Economic Forum reported, are particularly popular in China, making up more than 10% of the total amount of parcels being delivered each day, which are on average nearly 3 million. A study from MIT found that traditional shopping has two times the carbon footprint if compared to online shopping. This discourse, however, is valid only if one does not take the rushed online shopping into account. Indeed, when consumers opt for a fast delivery, the emissions far exceed those generated from in-person shopping. A major reason for this is that delivery companies cannot afford to wait for all products to arrive before shipping them out. When dealing with a one- or two-day shipping window, they are often forced to send out trucks that are filled at half their capacity, generating more traffic and thus emissions.

You might also like: How E-Commerce Companies are Making Online Shopping More Sustainable  

But shipping is not the only issue. As more and more online retailers, big and small, offer the option to send back goods easily and often for free, return rates, especially of fashion items, have skyrocketed, exceeding 30% of all purchased goods . A study on consumers’ behaviour showed that 79% of consumers want free return shipping and 92% of them are likely to buy again if the items they purchase are easy to return. It is statistics like these that incentivise companies to offer such options, as they will eventually be lucrative for them. 

There is little doubt that the e-commerce revolution has brought enormous advantages. However, online shopping and its environment impact must not be ignored. Nowadays, most consumers choose convenience over principles. And, as much as companies trying to become more and more sustainable is a good step in the right direction, these changes alone will not entirely solve the problem. Consumers are the ones that have the last word, and it is their behaviour and their decisions that eventually determine the impact of this industry. Thus, the only way to reverse the dangerous trend that e-commerce has taken, there needs to be a mind shift from both the producer’s as well as the consumer’s side.

Featured image by: Chris Watt

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