Will Physical Consumption be Replaced by Online Shopping

                                        

The widespread network all over the world leaves a deep mark on our daily life. According to Manuel Castells, networks constitute the new social morphology of our societies. The rapid development of online shopping meet almost any needs for products. As a result, it is predicted that online shopping will replace physical stores quickly. However, the fact that people still have great interests on physical consumption speaks louder. The following article describes why physical stores still exist.


On one hand, there was a distinct effort for online shopping to move from traditional limits. It shortens the distance among people and products. On the other hand, “The Consumer Society”, as discussed by Jean Baudrillard, has occurred. In this consumer society, people are not merely desire for material needs but also for deeper levels. Physical stores do well in meeting consumers’ demands in aspects of on-site sense, leisure and aesthetic experience, and product difference. That’s the reason why physical stores still exist and developing. 

Thousands of products online are really eye-catching. Only by typing what you want in the search bar, a large number of products covering all aspects can be found. 


But it is hard to feel the shopping space online. A few clicks make consumers get goods easily, it’s even simple for them to move to another shop online! Here it meets nearly all our requirements! However, the lack of sense of space and perceptual experience urge consumers to back to physical stores. 


It seems there are many inconveniences when do shopping in physical stores compared to that online. In fact, shopping does not equal to consumption. What count most are the space, site, activities and experience, not only products. 

To conclude, physical stores are still popular and will be be replaced by online shopping at present. It’s real experience, selection, services and other factors are key contributors to its exist.