Does this sentence sound familiar to you: “Mom can you please buy my Shein cart? I will love you forever!”? Ever since online shopping was introduced, it has almost completely taken over in-person shopping. Because it is extremely convenient to buy almost anything anywhere, would the public mind if online shopping was the only option and in-person stores closed?

Although almost every one knows what this is, in case you have been living under a rock, online shopping is purchasing products on the internet with an electronic device. The purpose of online shopping is to provide a convenient way of getting things such as clothes, food, or appliances at the push of a button. This way, consumers don’t have to take time out of their day to go out and shop. All they have to do now is go on a website on their phone that is most likely already in their hand. All of this is very beneficial, so that leaves one more question: Do in-person stores have any hope for the future?

Statistics show that more than 81% of the people in the United States shop online. However, Capital One Shopping did a poll, and their website states: “30% of American consumers prefer to shop online. 45% of consumers prefer to shop in-store”. This shows that online and in-store shopping is almost tied by preference. In-store shopping has a few more votes, though. 

So, why is it that online shopping is growing in popularity every day? Well, there are quite a few reasons. Some reasons are due to a variety of products, convenience, online discounts, and easy shopping. Some people might like to online shop for certain things, but want to go to a store for other things. Things people still seem to want to buy in person are shoes, food, furniture, pets, vehicles, appliances, and school supplies, but even in these categories, there is still a lot of online purchasing. These reasons all show why in-person stores could be coming to an end.

Based on the statistics shown so far, online shopping is very likely to take over in-person shopping without a doubt. Each year, fewer and fewer people make in-store purchases. Many websites are extremely certain that online shopping will replace physical stores. One website, for example, stated: “And therefore, eCommerce will take over physical stores for sure.” This means that in a few years, shopping sprees with friends and family won’t be an option as a way to spend a weekend. 

People’s opinions on online shopping seem to be different based on how old they are. I interviewed five people of different generations and asked them a series of questions regarding online and in-store shopping, such as “Which do you prefer?” and “Would you mind if physical stores shut down permanently?”.

Each person responded along the same lines as the other. They all preferred in-store shopping. However, the two people I asked who were in their 20s said that they wouldn’t mind stores closing, and online shopping didn’t bother them. 

Another person I asked who was in his 40s stated that he would definitely mind if physical stores closed. He quoted: “It would take some adapting, but I heard that once you get the hang of online shopping, it’s actually better preferred.” 

Finally, the last two people I asked who were in their late 60s said that they would also heavily mind if physical stores closed, and they don’t think they would like online shopping but they would do it if they absolutely had to. 

As you can see, the opinions changed little by little through each generation, with the youngest not minding online shopping versus the oldest not being too happy about the possibility of having to adapt.

In conclusion, physical stores are not likely to have a future. With eCommerce inclining, in-person shopping is declining in not just clientele, but profit, as well, leading to the shutting down of the store. When the time comes, would you care if you couldn’t go out to physical stores anymore?