Prof. Harpreet Kaur from Commerce Department sharing "E-COMMERCE: BLESSING TO THE CONSUMER BUT THREAT FOR BRICK AND MORTAR"

 

E-COMMERCE: BLESSING TO THE CONSUMER BUT THREAT FOR BRICK AND MORTAR

E-Commerce has opened the doors to an entire new customer base which was once not a part of the market transactions. It provides ample variety, transparency, opportunity for price comparison and ease of shopping.

• Faulty products and misleading deals are some of the issues that need to be addressed.
• Small scale brick and mortar shops are in threat due to revolutionary rise of the digital transactions. E Commerce stores host their business online. Customers can shop the products from anywhere, but they cannot touch them or see more than a picture or video. Online stores have a huge advantage over physical retailers because they are able to sell to customers over a wider geographic area.
• E commerce addresses the time and cost constraints as regards the consumer. It facilitates 24x7 trading. It ensures quality products at lower rates by way of discount and deals. The biggest advantage is product comparison without physical movement
• E-commerce has definitely benefitted the consumers as it provides timely and cost effective services, ensuring doorstep delivery. Although it has brought doom over the retailers as their customer base is affected.
• E-commerce lack personal touch and approach to its customers.
• E commerce encourages online start-ups and lowers the marketing cost of physical shops. However, the security of transactions is a major issue.

                                                                                             Assistant Prof. Harpreet Kaur

Department of Commerce

Lyallpur Khalsa College, Kapurthala