Online shopping has never been more central to a customer’s buying experience than it is right now.
As we all live busier lives, the convenience afforded by online shopping means we can finish almost anything we need with the push of a button. And it shows up at our doorstep faster than ever before.
While online shopping offers incredible speed and convenience, the question remains.
Does online shopping save you money? Or is buying the things you want in a brick-and-mortar store cheaper? The answer may surprise you.
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Is it Cheaper to Buy In-Store Or Online?
The simple answer is that it depends.
You will usually find a better price online than in a store. Lower overhead costs usually account for the savings. However, when an in-store price is lower, the savings are often more substantial than those online.
The category in which you are shopping also plays an important role. For example, when purchasing entertainment goods, there is a low chance of finding a lower price when shopping at a physical location. Yet, the average in-store savings are usually higher – almost 80 percent!
So, what does this mean if you are trying to find the best price? You can do a few things to maximize your savings when shopping online and in-store.
Here’s what you need to know:
1. Consider The Shopping Category
Some specific shopping categories carry a higher in-store price tag than others. For example, cosmetics purchased directly from the manufacturer can be cheaper than the same product in a store because they don’t include any retailer markups.
Electronics are another category that often displays lower online prices. At the very least, there is more competition. Think of it like this: if you shop on Amazon for a coffee maker, you can choose from hundreds (if not thousands) of different brands and models.
In a store, you may have ten or so options. More competition not only equates to better prices. It also means you can find an item that fits your budget and check all your boxes.
However, some categories carry a higher price tag when shopping online. This is most prevalent when shopping for groceries or takeout. In addition, many food delivery apps charge you a service fee while taking some of the store’s profits.
Many grocery stores and restaurants increase prices—sometimes up to 30 percent—to compensate for the loss. Unfortunately, this is often the price paid for the convenience of having food delivered straight to your door.
2. Don’t Forget About Shipping Prices
Services like Amazon Prime promise lightning-fast deliveries and help consumers like you save BIG on shipping and handling costs. For most, this means a less expensive shopping experience.
However, many online retailers have brick-and-mortar locations and often don’t ship enough volume to compete. Some will offer free shipping if you spend enough money. However, few offer the same free one-day shipping as Amazon.
Shipping costs vary across shopping experiences, making it crucial to factor into your overall total. After all, you could save with online prices only to spend more than in-store shopping because of additional fees and costs like shipping.
3. When In Doubt, Compare Both Methods
One thing online shopping makes easier is comparing prices. Countless browser extensions allow instantaneous price comparisons across multiple websites and platforms.
Other extensions provide coupon information to ensure you can apply all discounts to your purchase. This is exclusive to online shopping, while the same assurance for the lowest price is not always available while shopping in a store.
But in-store shopping has its savings perks as well. Think about the clearance section at some of your favorite stores. While online shopping platforms sometimes have sale or clearance sections, stores can offer bigger discounts for various products.
This isn’t always the case, but it is beneficial to consider—especially if you aren’t shopping for something too specific. If you want a particular item, compare prices across digital shopping platforms and retail outlets. Always keep an eye out for stores that offer a price match.
A price match is truly the best of both worlds. You can closely examine an item in-store while applying the lowest price – often found online. Just be sure to check the finer print if a store offers this service.
Visiting Stores Before Purchasing Online
For many, shopping in a store has become a form of window shopping. This applies more frequently to items such as clothes, electronics, and other goods you may want to look at before swiping your card.
Typically, a shopper will head to a store, find an item they’ve been shopping around for, and take a closer look. They often go home for further pricing research if they like an item. If the same item is cheaper online, they will make a purchase.
If a store offers an item for a better price, customers will likely head back to the location to complete their purchase—mainly if the savings are substantial. If they are saving only a few dollars, the convenience of purchasing the item online may be enough for them to buy from a website.
This “window shopping” form is much more difficult if you live far from a shopping area. Many rural and even suburban towns don’t offer a wide selection of malls and other shopping centers.
Those living in more remote areas are less likely to spend time and transportation costs. Unless, of course, the savings are much more significant than the lowest online price. Whatever your situation, shopping around both online and in-store has its own set of benefits.
Researching Online Before Purchasing In-Store
Similar logic can be applied to in-store purchases. It is common for shoppers to compare multiple items within the same category online before making an in-store purchase, especially on big-ticket items.
Before heading to the store to buy a new refrigerator, you will likely dig online for the best option. Sure, stores often have dedicated salespeople to aid your decision-making. But today’s shoppers like to take a more educated approach.
In this case, shoppers will search the internet for reviews, pricing information, and in-store sales. But, for many, purchasing expensive items from a store that allows them to inspect an item physically is more comforting.
Online Shopping Has Exploded
Online shopping has become more popular worldwide because of its variety of products, convenience, and contactless nature. Thanks to online shopping and eCommerce, shoppers of all ages increasingly use the internet to find their preferred products.
Online shopping is a practical choice for clients who want to save time on their way to the store or additional money by locating the most outstanding prices.
When shopping online, customers can get the exact goods they desire from the comfort of their homes.
Therefore, it was inevitable that online buying would expand during the lockdown – and the trend continues to move upward.
The online shopping boom doesn’t end with everyday consumer retail products. Through countless services, you can order groceries, have your prescriptions delivered, and even have your favorite takeout delivered to your front door.
In-Store Shopping Still Has Its Benefits
Shopping in person still has many perks and a significant presence in retail despite the many benefits of the Internet. However, some things can only be done in person, including looking at a product or talking to a knowledgeable salesperson about your needs.
Remember the comfort of knowing precisely what you’re getting when you go home with your purchases. Nobody enjoys worrying about how quickly and accurately internet orders are delivered.
Of course, salespeople can pressure you in certain shopping situations. However, in-person shopping often provides a more personalized experience while supporting local businesses.
Final Thoughts on Whether it Is Cheaper to Buy Online Or In-Store
Most of the time, online shopping will provide a better price. It costs less for stores to ship something from a warehouse than to display an item for purchase in a store. Sometimes, you will find a better price when shopping in a brick-and-mortar store.
This is especially true if the store is having a sale. The easiest way to ensure you pay the lowest possible price for the things you want is to compare prices across digital shopping platforms and physical stores.
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