It seems like every day we get news about another brick-and-mortar store shutting its doors forever. So, it got me thinking, “is everyone shopping online except me?” I was fascinated, then, by a recent article by The New York Times exploring the retail transformation. I was so sure that I would encounter statistics confirming everyone else was shopping online. What I learned, however, was that in last quarter of 2016, only 8.3% of all retails sales went down online. So, it appears that most of you prefer to shop in-store too. Today, then, I’m sharing all the reasons I prefer shopping in-store.
5 Reasons I Prefer to Shop In-Store
1. I can immediately assess the look and overall quality of an item. I walked into J.Crew recently and was immediately drawn to today’s featured one-shoulder top. Now, I had seen this top online a ton of times before. It never caught my attention, though, until I saw its rich red color and intricate eyelet pattern in person.
One-shoulder top | Seamed black skinnies | Floral pumps (old, want these sandals)
Gold hoops (similar, option, option)
2. I can try on several sizes to find the right fit. Is it just me, or are online reviews of items increasingly all-over-the-place? I prefer to just try things on and see for myself. And, I don’t want to order several sizes to do that. Online reviews of this top indicate it runs larger, but my usual size 4 fit perfectly.
3. I can get what I want right away. Waiting for an online purchase to process, ship, and then get to me is a waiting game I’d rather not play. I loved the convenience, for example, of finding and buying the Abstraction Maxi Dress featured in the Wish List to Wardrobe post and being able to wear it days later.
4. I can enjoy better in-store pricing. Most of the stores that I shop regularly offer the best discounts in-store. And, on the rare occasion that an online price is better, stores match the online prices.
5. I can avoid sunk costs like shipping fees. Many stores offer free shipping these days, but that perk often comes with strings attached. Maybe I don’t want to spend $150 just to have my items shipped for free.
So where do you stand? Do you prefer to shop in-store or online?
Location: Compton Hill Water Tower, St. Louis
Such a Fabulous top on you. I love to touch and try on my merchandise before I buy and rarely shop online. My spot in the stores are the clearance racks and I love the hunt of a great buy. Also, I was not happy with my last online purchase 2 years ago. Lets keep our stores open!
Thanks, Neti! And, thanks for your feedback. I’m with you on all of that.
Beautiful top! I would like to shop in stores for the reasons you mention, but because I’m plus-size in most things, I rarely can. The stores where I live have either no plus-size departments or a very small one. So I need to do 95% of my shopping online. It’s not a choice I made, but one that was made for me. Maybe things will improve in the future…
Thanks, Anne! That makes perfect sense. I’m hoping things improve in the future too.
Great post. I like to shop online and in stores!!
I hear that, Janel.
While I dont mind shopping online for skincare, I prefer to shop in person for clothing. I have a small waist & curvy hips, and its always a bit tricky for me to find clothes that fit. when I do shop online, i prefer to shop at locations with physical locations so i can try the products first (makeup) or easily return them without having to ship again.
Great post.
I’m on the same page! The ability to return an online item in a physical store is especially crucial.
I’m SO with you about preferring to shop for clothes in store rather than online. Like you said, you just SEE clothes differently in person.
I also grew up clothes-shopping with my mom (we would go once or twice a year, since we lived out in the country, so it was a BIG DEAL to shop for new clothes), so I’ve also always seen it as a positive social experience. I wrote more about that earlier this year, https://librarianforlifestyle.com/2017/01/20/what-my-mom-taught-me-about-shopping-for-clothes/
You look fan-ta-bulous in the new blouse! Love it paired with your lipstick and your floral heels 😀
Yes, you agree, Jen! Thanks for sharing your post too.
Thanks, Jen!