E-commerce has changed the face of retail, online shopping is a worldwide trend that has accelerated over the past decade. The option to make the purchase of goods from your home or office is a great convenience with the demands of busy schedules. Working class families often have to juggle their schedules and factor the time it takes to run errands and buy the necessities they need for everyday living. Consumers are busier than over, more mobile, more affluent, and ever more impatient with time consuming tasks. As a result of these social and attitudinal changes, people are drawn to convenient, reliable alternative solutions for everyday tasks; this makes the appeal of online shopping even more sensible. Online shopping can be a great convenience, but just as any smart shopper you have to be prepared, if you’re the type of consumer that likes to walk around the store, not really sure on what you want to purchase and your decision is influence by what you see in hand, online shopping will not be for you. Most shoppers are focused on price; they want to get in and out of the store quickly. Making lists will help the consumer in finding opportunities to save on their food bill. This service is a great tool for the elderly or individuals that cannot move around easily, such as handicap individuals that would have difficult time getting around a crowded store, or buying large bulking or heavy items.

Consumers who shop online can investigate all options of the product from multiple web sites who are offering that particular product. Most consumers make the decision where purchase is based on price, but I also believe that customer service and its reliability make an enormous difference as well.  I would purchase from the retailers who offer product guarantee and a hassle free return policy, it can be worth much more than saving a few dollars on the product itself.

Choosing to purchase products on-line or at a traditional "brick and mortar" retailer has its advantages and disadvantages that contribute to making decision. On-line shopping is not well suited for items that require any specifics such as size, or freshness. However, on-line purchasing is great for general items, such as CDs, books, electronics, software, and hardware. On-line shopping is great for convenience, while shopping at brick and mortar stores is great for quality control. The in-store stimuli can influence affect, cognition and behaviors that online cannot compete with it.