The impact that the Internet has on modern society is far from over, and while in the early days, people were amazed that they could access information, the capabilities have stretched far beyond text transfer, with face to face real time video conferencing an everyday occurrence. The benefits of the digital highway just keep coming, and with e-commerce fast outpacing its traditional rivals, more and more consumers are turning to their smartphones when they wish to order a product or service.
Online Supermarket Shopping
There is no limit to what you can purchase online, with online groceries & delivery in Singapore, for example, which eliminates the need to visit the supermarket. This saves the consumer a lot of time, and the energy saved will certainly help reduce the negative impacts on our planet, as travel to the shop is eliminated from the purchasing process. Providing you order at least $50, the delivery to your door will be free.
Traditional Retailers
The future is not looking good for the bricks and mortar retailer, as online sales grow exponentially, and from the consumer’s point of view, things just keep getting better. Prices have never been lower, as online retailers do not have the huge overheads of running a store and hiring sales staff. If, for example, you want to buy a new car, a trip to the showroom might be in order if you want to choose your model, but once you’ve done that, simply go home, get online, and you will find a supplier who can offer a much lower price, and your warranty will be identical. Simply put, the fancy showroom and helpful sales staff have to be paid for, and like any business, it is the consumer who foots the bill.
Secure Online Payments
The very early days of e-commerce were met with some reluctance, as many consumers were unhappy to share their credit card details online, yet today, paying online is statistically safer than walking around with cash in your pocket. Software development has ensured that critical data is protected, and many online retailers have a money back guarantee, which is further reassurance for the consumer.
Mobile Empowerment
There were more than 1 billion smartphones sold last year, and with more than 2.5 billion users worldwide, mobile devices are taking over as the most popular way to order products and services. The consumer has never been in such a prominent position, and with super-fast deliveries, anything you order will on your doorstep before you know it. Shopping on the move is the ideal solution for the busy entrepreneur, or the housewife with a million things to do, as they can easily order essential goods from their smartphone.
The UK topped the charts last year for the number of people who shop online for their groceries, for the second year in successions, and Asian countries are not far behind, and if you live in Malaysia, Singapore, or Thailand, you can also do your grocery shopping online. One thing is for sure, we are living in a time of radical change in many aspects of our lives, and the trend is for faster and better service.
