Assignment #1: Shopping Carts?

1. What are the 2 biggest reasons people still shop at stores?
The two biggest reasons people still enjoy shopping at stores includes not having to pay extra for shipping. Often times, the item listed on a store's website is the same price as it is if you buy it in stores, but you usually have to pay for the shipping and it can add up to fifteen extra dollars to that one item! There may not be much for sales taxes, but the shipping is bad enough that the purchase is sometimes not even worth it. Also, many people prefer shopping at stores rather than online because it is more enjoyable to get the entire, physical experience. Returning items is easier than it is online and clothing can be tried on before purchasing! It's a form of entertainment for many people and taking the best part away from that experience makes it far less appealing!
Source: http://www.thewire.com/technology/2011/12/we-still-shop-mall-bunch-reasons/45738/
2. What are the 2 biggest reasons people shop online?
The two biggest reasons people prefer shopping online includes how convenient it is. There aren't many places that you can go shopping at while in the comfort of your own bed other than online! Many people also enjoy that online stores don't close at any time, and shopping can be done at three in the morning if it's desired. Although the wait can feel tedious the comfort of the purchase and buying exactly what you've been looking for makes the wait worth it! Also, some people prefer online shopping because many stores have more variety! When an item is unavailable at your local store, chances are the website has it! I have also noticed that many companies create items that are only available in certain colors and styles on the website, so if you're interested in buying a blue shirt at your local store that you liked online it may only be available on the website so I always pay close attention when shopping online.
Source: http://upstreamcommerce.com/blog/2012/02/14/8-reasons-consumer-likes-shop-online

3. If you had the ability which buying experience would you prefer and why?
If I had to choose only one shopping experience, it would be going to the stores rather than online because I enjoy the experience and being able to know exactly what I'm purchasing before I buy it. Going to the mall would also be my preferred method of buying because it's an activity you can do with other people and it's a form of entertainment!

4. Will online shopping be the only method in 2050 or will people gradually return to stores or strike a balance? Why?
In my opinion, I don't think that online shopping will be the only method of buying in the year 2050 because going to the mall for the whole experience is still very popular and many people prefer it, including myself. I think that if people decided to start getting rid of real stores and resorted to online shopping only, no one would like it and end up developing their own businesses. Overall, it would mot work out in any way and chances are, it would be protested by the larger majority of people than praised by the small amount of people who think it's a good idea.

5. Canada Post has been crippled by the lack of letter sending due to social media and emails etc..... They have decided to focus now mainly on digital shopping and delivering the purchased products. Is this a smart business plan change? Why or why not?
I believe that this business plan change could be beneficial, but Canada Post should not completely forget about letters and packages being sent out by people. They will probably get a good amount of new business if they decide to make the change to digital shopping, but there are also many small businesses that ship items by hand and need the post offices to bring their packages to rather than online. Although there are a few obstacles that would need to be figured out with this change, it could work out and I believe that this business change could be a smart choice in the long run.

6. If something is wrong with your product it is far easier to return it to a physical store. Suggest one way that online shopping could make their return process easier for the buyer and make physical stores even less meaningful.
One way that online stores could make their return policies easier would be to have an entire subsection on their website for returning items and have better online customer service. I've noticed that many companies will send out a product that is already damaged or gets damaged during the shipping process and if the consumer attempts to contact the company, their request for a new product or a refund gets ignored. So, to keep disastrous situations like that out of everyones lives, online stores would need to develop their customer service and return processes to be fast, easy, and respectful of their consumers.