In this technology-driven society, our routine and thoughts are constantly swirling around our steadily flourishing virtual world. Most of us openly and inexhaustibly plan our lives around the internet; whether it be social media to plan our events, emails to communicate or YouTube to be entertained.

The internet makes the unreachable reachable, and shopping is no exception. We can happily flip through our smartphones on our lunch break, and the tempting ‘online only’ deals can easily trigger an impromptu buy. 

E-commerce, or more commonly known as ‘internet shopping’ brought in a staggering £91bn last year alone; and 30% of all shopping is done via e-commerce and some of this is down to social media! Some may say that e-commerce’s accessibility is the most attractive asset for shoppers and at the tap of a finger we can have products flying through our letterboxes within 24 hours.

Social media has definitely swayed our views; we can see products and see bloggers using products way before we click buy. Making sense of how social media works as a business can be challenging too and with social media tracking, it makes things a lot easier. 

Photo: Pixabay

With our cities’ populations on the rise, the impatient line of people standing in lines is a constant battle for shoppers. We are never sure whether the ever-growing line for the self-checkout is the better option. There is always that rush of customers at Christmas or the Saturday madness, and e-commerce proves to be a welcomed escape from that peevish world.

E-commerce covers everything, from food, clothes, gifts, and even holidays, and in 2013, we saw a 16% rise in online shoppers from the previous year. If these figures continue, by 2020, just about all of our shopping will be done online. A big blow to our already established shops, and of course the lack of custom and an impending rise of e-commerce can only mean another spell of cutting layoffs, therefore, further unemployment; and could open up a whole new world of problems.

E-commerce is definitely changing our shopping strategy; cleverly laid out websites are unscrupulously appealing; with 25% of a £50 shop or free shipping over orders of £100. This lures us into a false sense of control, but some may think it’s just enticing us to spend more and more and ultimately rack up larger credit card bills. Shopping responsibly is always key! 

Of course, however, e-commerce has its perks, especially in the realms of marketing for new companies; then suddenly there is the capability of growth, and the figures speak for themselves; our shopping is changing, because our society is changing.

In a perfect world, e-commerce and commerce should run like clockwork together, integrating their assets; but in our electronic-addled society, one will always prevail. It may take time, and the natural progression of commerce will possibly, like so many other things, go full circle; but it is safe to say that the old school ways of high-street shopping, may soon be a dying enterprise