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!
Author
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…
Author
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!!
Author
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.
Author
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 😀
Author
Yes, you agree, Jen! Thanks for sharing your post too.
Author
Thanks, Jen!