In today’s society, many people have turned to online shopping to save time, purchase more efficiently, and avoid the stress of public spaces. Companies like Walmart, Shein, and Amazon dominate the market, sending delivery trucks out daily to bring shoppers their orders. Even grocery stores have adapted, offering curbside pickup to save shoppers the trip into the store. These new technologies have changed the way society shops drastically.
With the increase in online shopping, in-person shopping has faced a major decrease, with many stores shutting down and malls becoming less busy. This shift has also affected creativity within small business communities. Farmers’ markets and flea markets, which are often full of small business owners, have lost valuable interaction because people prefer not to shop in person. As a result, opportunities for creativity, connection, and growth are being pushed aside.
Social interaction has also been greatly affected by online shopping. Business teacher Danielle webber explains the opportunities we miss out on as a society due to the lack of in person shopping “ You lose that face to face interaction of like, you know going shopping with your friends,” Weber explained.
Shopping can be a social experience; people can interact with staff, ask friends for opinions, or simply enjoy the store atmosphere. Online shopping removes these opportunities, leaving the experience to feel solitary and somewhat isolating. Without engagement people may miss out on helpful recommendations, shared experiences, or the excitement of browsing with friends. Overtime online shopping can make purchases feel impersonal and disconnected from the community around us.
