Compare Online Shopping and Brick-and-Mortar Shopping

Comparing and Contrasting
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Which is the better option between online shopping and brick-and-mortar shopping?
In today’s society, with the advancement of technology, shoppers are presented with options whether to buy online or go to a brick and mortar store to do their shopping. The two types of shopping offers a vast selection of products and promotions from which a consumer can choose. This paper examines how online shopping and brick and mortar are similar and the aspects in which they differ with an aim of identifying the better option between the two options.
Online shopping and brick and mortar shopping appear similar in many aspects but they differ in various areas such as in selection, pricing and convenience. Brick and mortar shopping embraces the in-person customer experience and offers accessible inventories through their constructed storefront. Online shopping (sometimes referred as e-tail or e-shopping) evokes physical analogy of shopping and allows purchasing from the seller's mobile optimized online app or site.
First, in both types of shopping, consumers are able to purchase their products at low cost prices as discounts and incentives are offered by both online and in-store sellers to promote their products. The in-store mostly offers their discounts at certain special shopping times while online retailers utilizes free shipping or other promotional code that they give to their customers (Molenaar, 2010).
Both online and in-store type of shopping offers excellent and convenient ways of shopping. Advanced 3D visual and computer-aided designs are being used by online retailers in the design and development of their website. A virtual platform allows visitors to take a pre-trip to what the company offers and do their purchases online (Binder, 2014). Customer can therefore have real expectation before they receive their purchased product. On the other hand, Brick and mortar shopping utilizes effective shop interior designs to showcase a complete physical outlook of what they offer. They have the advantage of having the capability to and create a harmonious look throughout the shop. Signage and graphics provide customers with product information, help customers locate specific products and units, and put forward items or special purchases (Baker, et al. 2004). In addition, brick and mortar retailers utilizes interior designers in merchandising their products.
There are several r...