How Much Does Online Shopping Impact Our Society?

[Civic Justice]

Are we prepared for the impact it has made?

Do we know how the impact truly affects our overall society?

What will be our decision in and for the future? the choice may have a big impact on what happens with America and American Peoples work and economic lives. As well as our communities.

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Online shopping has cost 10's maybe 100's of thousands of people to loose their jobs... because no one want to drive to a brick and mortar store.

We complain about jobs, then we contribute to the demise of jobs without even considering the consequence of our actions and its impact on the over-all general society.

I try to shop at fixed placed locations as much as possible, because if I want or need something, I know getting it where people work, is not only beneficial to me to get what I seek, but it helps keep people employed. I shop online, but not as a main way of shopping, I understand those are working people too. We need to think more about what we do, than just being driven by media advertisements, not only might we become better at things that affect our civil and civic and monetary concern, but about our mental well being as well.
We have people living in constant sense of desperation, because they can't get everything advertised and promoted, even when they have no immediate need for it, and their wants become controlled by what advertisers tell them they must have. It's likely not to make much change in the near future, because we don't know what to do with our time, and shopping fills that void for many.

We get lost in things that damage our society, and then blame everyone and everything except the actions of ourselves.

We go click on "add to cart", and some items come Directly From China, yet, we complain about China taking our jobs, when our actions won't even support the mass of Americans that work in Fixed Retail Facilities.

We did the same damage to ourselves, when "A SEGMENT" of this society, became ignorant and gullible enough to be convinced to stand against "Unions"... Too many, too STUPID, to know it "Union Shop Jobs that gave their grandparents the middle class stability they attained, and the same offspring's stood up against "Unions" and the end result is 'DECIMATED INDUSTRY, NO WORKPLACE BENEFITS, AND STAGNANT WAGES AND IN MANY CASES 'REGRESSIVE WAGES.

We are now GULLIBLE enough to fall for the line about bringing "industry back"... with no idea to consider..."where are they going to place it"... Rural, Suburbs, City ???? because if you place it in one location, you omit 2 locations.

That alone should tell people, the key element to American Redevelopment, is not big industry, but SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, because Small business can be developed in Rural, Suburbs & City - We should have committed 30-60-90 Billion to Small Business Start Ups...
(That only equals, 3 months of Trade Deficit Amounts, just with China. because we have more than 30 billion a month in trade deficts just with China, not to count what we have with other nations.
Yet, we spent more than 30 billion a month on "Wars" for more than a decade.

We are out own problem in America... between the ignorance of bigotry, racism and economic lack of understanding, is why we get weaker and weaker.

We have even lost the ability to think in Monetary Equation to see the Variance in Change. It now takes a minimum of $15hr, just to become a fraction of % above the Poverty Index. Yet, we still have a minimum wage, set at a level, that is equal to or lesser than it cost to house and feed a slave in current society.

Companies claim profits, not in millions, not in 10's of million, not even in 100's of million, but in Billions, and some claim that "every 3 months"... That tells us our Monetary Equation to see the Variance in Change is off by a large factor. It's why everything declines and will continue to decline for the average citizen. Trumps plans will never do more than enrich the wealthy at the direct expense of the working people of this nation. His followers will never figure it out, and sadly we have far too many non Trump followers who refuse to think deep enough to figure it out and come to understand what they see and think in terms of how to address it in functional concepts. It takes time, to look at it, learn about and from it, and see and come to know the elements variables and how its impact is upon us.

We simply don't have any politicians in America who is talking about "Mass Investment in Small Business Start Up Funding".

[Blue_Adept]

1. There's definitely issues but, frankly, the horses are so far out of the barn that the barn

fell apart decades ago kind of thing.

I also have a kind of "so what" attitude about it because the majority of my interests from the 80's on have been through mail order and specialty shops and even all of that transitioned to purely digital instead of physical, such as books and film.

I'm not exactly going to go to a physical store to buy a digital copy of that.

Also keep in mind that a lot of people are going a far more minimalist route these days generationally speaking. A lot of Gen X folks like myself are ditching buying earlier as we see all the crap are parents are foisting on us as they die or downsize/elder care.

There's a huge shift in consumerism happening and there will be a lot of casualties to it.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

3. I'm w you.

god forbid we have a luxury.

[Blue_Adept]

4. Add in that it seems like, according to a lot of reports, the younger generation is more interested

in experiences than purchases and it's only going to accelerate the change. Both of my kinds, 15 and 18, enjoy a lot of things but they're not "consumers" of a lot of stuff in general. They see me, three years after my father's death, still struggling to go through all that he left behind.

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

5. I'm real sorry about your Dad.

I really am. It's a monumental task going through another persons things I'm sure. So sad. I'm glad you enjoy books too.

[Ferrets are Cool]

15. Yes, you are 100% correct. That horse is LONG GONE...

and the barn burned down.

What should be done NOW, instead of whining about a lost segment of society, is have a concerted effort by a caring administration to put people to work in industries other than service.
This country is falling apart brick by brick, board by board, rusting piece of steel by....you get the idea. Instead of putting money into the industrial military machine, put at least 50% of that money into infrastructure rebuilding. Instead of giving huge tax breaks to the 1%, put that tax money into rebuilding America.
Rant off.

[hlthe2b]

17. yes, agree. I still TRY to shop locally at small independent stores when I can, but

they can't compete with the variety and stock nor, of course price. Still, I don't want them to go away, so I do TRY to give them business. However, I often find myself buying things (usually gifts) that I really didn't want to buy and which, will probably be re-gifted, just because I felt obligated. It is a dilemma and a constant source of "guilt" for me. I don't like what the future is likely to bring, including the amount of isolation that comes when people don't even go out to shop anymore.

[Blue_Adept]

18. The plus side to people not going out to shop is that it does seem like millennials and next gen

are going out and hanging out together and doing things, just not buying things. So they hit restaurants, events, and so forth. So the social element is very much there.

[hlthe2b]

19. I hope that will continue to be the case...

[Crutchez_CuiBono]

2. Once again..

let's blame the masses for folks like dt spending on themselves. Sorry. Drop in the bucket. I won't be shamed from online shopping.

[el_bryanto]

6. I had a period of time recently, where due to a seizure was unable to drive

Amazon prime was a big help there. I suppose i should feel guilty there.

Bryant

[C_U_L8R]

7. I miss actual shopping

and support local mom+pops and farmers markets as much as I can.
Better products and much more fun. Plus you can take a friend.
In spite of all its convenience, online shopping is boring and lonely.

[kimbutgar]

32. I love going to swap meets to buy stuff I can't find in stores anymore

[spooky3]

8. Online shopping enhances quality of life.

You spend less time and money looking for things in multiple stores. With online shopping you can see user reviews (though there are some fake reviews). More price competition helps consumers.

All of these things should be considered while we’re also considering the negative impacts of online shopping.

I still do support local stores where I can. I think a balance is good.

[ooky]

13. Too often, I go look for something in the brick and mortar stores

and they "don't have it in stock". If I've got to order it from them and wait for it, why not just order it on line and save myself the trip?

Over time, after making enough empty trips, people learn and just start staying home and using the one click ordering. They are conditioned to waiting for deliveries.

Why invest in brick and mortar if you aren't going to carry stock?

[Blue_Adept]

20. Here's the bigger problem - There's too much to stock!

We're such a large country with so many diverse interests and tastes that many stores can't stock as much as they'd like even within limited niches.

[Civic Justice]

9. there can be a paradigm shift in the mix... IF

We realize that, the advancement of online shopping will grow, but That alone should tell people, the key element to American Redevelopment, is not big industry, but SMALL BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT, because Small business can be developed in Rural, Suburbs & City - We should have committed 30-60-90 Billion to Small Business Start Ups...
(That only equals, 3 months of Trade Deficit Amounts, just with China. because we have more than 30 billion a month in trade deficts just with China, not to count what we have with other nations.
Yet, we spent more than 30 billion a month on "Wars" for more than a decade.

IF, we can transist to build small business a great deal of On-Line Shopping can be purchased from U.S. Domestic Small Business Manufactuers and Producers of a great many of the Consumer Goods that we purchase, which currently the bulk of it is made in Foreign Countries.

Much of this stuff can be Made in America, because we have many people with many skills, and it can be a boom for them, in having both small fixed location, as well as an Internet Catalog which can expand on the products they are able to offer.

We have plenty creative people in this country. But it does not promote that development, at this current day and time. We have to make it simpler for Business Start Up to be created and We have to change our Funding Ideology, to INCLUDE, lending for and to Start Ups.... and that means from facilities that can have "multiple digital testing equip. such as MRI, CT Scans and Ultra Sound and what ever, where this can be done in a vastly expanded amount of facilities, that are not connected or part of a Hospital Facility Business. But as Independent Small Business Operators. Technology can promote many people to create many things, with Digital printing to the various old styled skills that still can produce high quality durable goods, as well as goods that can be repaired.

IF we look back, Sears did massive business via Sears Catalog, as well as their big box stores, but they dropped the ball on both.
We should learn from that, and figure out how to make it work in the New Era of Commercial and Manufacturing..

BECAUSE... American peoples health, and their ability to have viable employment is A NATIONAL SECURITY CONCERN.... and it should be seen as such.

[smirkymonkey]

10. I don't drive and I live in a city where many of the shops in my neighborhood

are closed by the time I get out of work w/ the exception of CVS and Whole Foods. I suppose I could take public transportation to a mall, but online shopping is just so much easier for me and it is delivered right to my apartment's front desk in a day or two.

It doesn't make sense for me to go looking all over the city for something I need when I know I can find it with the click of a button. I love brick and mortar stores for specialty items, but for basic household needs - especially hardware store items - online shopping works best for me.

[BumRushDaShow]

12. You just reminded me of another brick and mortar that I do go to

and that is the "local" hardware store. I actually have a comprehensive (non-chain) one not far from me that I frequent. I can also go to a True Value or a Home Depot but the small biz one is so much less intimidating and actually has many of the small/odd items that I might need (and if not, the can get them).

[smirkymonkey]

16. Unfortunately, my local hardware store closes at 6pm and I am rarely back home in the neighbor-

hood until 6:30 or 7pm. In NYC stores stayed open much later so I was more likely to go to a store, but here only the malls stay open late, the neighborhood stores close early.

[oberliner]

24. Great point

Online shopping makes life much easier for many people in similar situations. It increase access to good that are simply not available in some areas.

[BumRushDaShow]

11. What is often missing from these discussions

is that much of what is offered "online" (and notably Amazon) is not coming "direct from China" (their manufacturers) or even from some big box store. The items ARE actually coming from some (usually small) "brick and mortar" store in some state (or even my own state but at a location that is not really close) that has chosen to have an "online presence" ("storefront" ) through Amazon. Amazon makes $$$ from hosting these stores. That store may supply a nearby Amazon warehouse or may ship direct.

For many of us in urban areas (notably those in majority-minority neighborhoods), since the banks refuse to lend to startups and property owners refuse to lease to startups (and people have protested this sort of thing for decades and tie it up in the courts), there are products that just aren't available in or near these neighborhoods - INCLUDING from the big box stores. I.e., if I go to a Walmart or even a small store in a black neighborhood, I often find that all they want to sell is black pants and purple tops and "sports ware". And in that case, then what the fuck am I supposed to do? And when you ask them where are the other colors or other sizes, etc., you are told "Well that's what the customers buy".

Enough with that shit.

When it comes to certain (perishable) produce, I have a better selection with "small" local businesses/farmers markets/produce "trucks" and I use those quite a bit. But for many other things, the only way I can get what I want is online. And I don't have to be followed around the store by a guard thinking I am going to shoplift-while-black and I don't have to show my receipt at the exit like I do WHEN shopping-while-black. Just do a search, find the best price (and free ship if available or Prime) and click, add to cart. No racial profiling by clerks or store managers, no "Not available at this location" bullshit, no hassle (except for occasional delivery mishaps)...just click click click done.

What we have is "globalization" of the "small business" in a way. There are certain products that are available, say in California, because they have a preponderance of certain ethnic groups that are the market for those products. But if you live in an area where those products don't exist or are in very small supply, then buying them "online" gets you those products from those businesses in California when there is not enough customer base to support them being available where you live.

[Civic Justice]

14. I can see that.... I too see some stores, advertise things that can only be bought online.

I don't know what the Answer it, but the discussion is certainly worthwhile, because we are facing a change, and that change is affecting not only the lives of consumers, but of workers.

Figuring it out, may take us a while and we may go through many more pains of sorts before it done. It's liken to the Age of the Computer and its Impact in the 1980's... I recall in the mid to later 1970's location were vested in teaching data entry, even back when they had the "green screen" computer systems.

We did prepare a lot of people for that change, as well as a lot was not. Companies that fought against modernization, found themselves on the loosing end, and that cost millions upon millions of jobs and 10's of thousands of large business to fold over and close shop.

We can see change, say for instance how the new awareness of the dangers of Sugar, has impacted the Soft Drink Companies, and with the projected rise in Diabetic's in the next 25 yrs, we likely will see a change in many more areas and more change in the soft drink companies.
The drinks changed so much in 50 yrs, until some of the Soda drinks are nothing like they were in the 60's as far as quality.

We can't go backwards but we can learn from the changes and figure out how to adjust and lessen the devastation of change related to innovation and technology. It will take Investments.

I did not particularly like everything DeVos said in her recent foreign trip... but she is right in the sense of our education system, which is still training people in and for antiquated ways and things, and we are still education people to "go get a factory job", rather than educating people in how to be innovative as well as to be and become job creators. We have lost all concern and regard to 'teach Civics Education Through out the School yrs, from Pre though K-12.

Change and Building America is an ongoing challenge.

[BumRushDaShow]

27. To respond

I can see that.... I too see some stores, advertise things that can only be bought online.
I don't know what the Answer it, but the discussion is certainly worthwhile, because we are facing a change, and that change is affecting not only the lives of consumers, but of workers.

I think the "change" is more a shift in where workers would be and what they would be doing.

Figuring it out, may take us a while and we may go through many more pains of sorts before it done. It's liken to the Age of the Computer and its Impact in the 1980's... I recall in the mid to later 1970's location were vested in teaching data entry, even back when they had the "green screen" computer systems.

Here in Philly, our school district had (and I think it is still there) a big mainframe computer that schools could connect to. And my school did just that back in 1970 with a low-baud coupler (either 300 or 600) and teletype. I had classes in 4th/5th grade back then in "Computer Math" and "Computer Reading". I used to memorize all the control sequences and would help the other kids in my class get through lockups. This was before the "green screen" monitors, where "killing trees" became the earliest meme (and I used to play a Star Trek game programmed in BASIC) -



Actual monitors didn't come until I was in high school in the mid-70s. As a sidenote, my dad was a COBOL programmer in the federal government from the '50s - '70s and did punch cards.

We did prepare a lot of people for that change, as well as a lot was not. Companies that fought against modernization, found themselves on the loosing end, and that cost millions upon millions of jobs and 10's of thousands of large business to fold over and close shop.

We can see change, say for instance how the new awareness of the dangers of Sugar, has impacted the Soft Drink Companies, and with the projected rise in Diabetic's in the next 25 yrs, we likely will see a change in many more areas and more change in the soft drink companies.
The drinks changed so much in 50 yrs, until some of the Soda drinks are nothing like they were in the 60's as far as quality.

Some of what you describe is also impacted by the over-used term "market forces" where there is currently a shift now - and actually away from the "artificial" and/or "synthetic" and/or "substitute" and back to the "natural" (e.g., from high fructose corn syrup back to sugar, etc).

We can't go backwards but we can learn from the changes and figure out how to adjust and lessen the devastation of change related to innovation and technology. It will take Investments.

You actually do have "investments" in certain fields going on believe it or not. Some get more hype than others but initiatives like "Kickstarter" gets the ball rolling on a small scale.

I did not particularly like everything DeVos said in her recent foreign trip... but she is right in the sense of our education system, which is still training people in and for antiquated ways and things, and we are still education people to "go get a factory job", rather than educating people in how to be innovative as well as to be and become job creators. We have lost all concern and regard to 'teach Civics Education Through out the School yrs, from Pre though K-12.

But here is the thing... It's not that there is training in "antiquated ways". In many school systems, there is no training at all. I.e., voc-tech has been eliminated along with gym, libraries, music, languages, and art due to lack of funding. And there is certainly a dearth in training for the "trades", which seem to continually get looked down on - at least here on DU. As long as you live in a "typical" dwelling, you will need plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, masons, etc. Most if not all of these trades are covered by unions, but many of these "trade unions" - particularly in large cities, are loathe to expand beyond their immediate circles (families and friends) and in order to get in them, you need to go through some apprenticeship that is often only offered by them. So there ARE things that need to change in some areas to improve the job training and outlooks.

Change and Building America is an ongoing challenge.

There will never be a time when it isn't a "challenge".

[Runningdawg]

21. I think online shopping has contributed to

the overall rudeness of society. Some have very little tolerance for in-person shopping and they take it out on others.
I worked in retail for a while after I retired from nursing. At first online shopping was rare and customers were fairly polite to workers and other customers. However, as the popularity of shopping online grew, I saw first hand, how people changed.
3 people at the register? Walk away cussing and leave a cart full of food.
You don't like any of the 16 shades of pink cotton fabric I just showed you? Complain to corporate that I must be colorblind and insist they fire me.
We have become a society that places instant gratification above human interaction.

[oberliner]

23. Online shopping has made life much easier for many people

Especially those for whom going to stores is not easy.

[crazycatlady]

30. I worked in retail from 1998-2006

And in food service before then. Customers were always rude (95% were not, but the 5% can ruin your day).

[oberliner]

22. Loose their jobs?

Sorry, pet peeve.

[ChazII]

25. I live in Phoenix and

have plenty of places to shop. The only on line shopping I do is for my medication. Many friends lost their jobs because the business, such as Big Dog, went to on line only. This is not a brag nor a complaint just a comment on my shopping.

[blueinredohio]

26. I would rather go into a store to look at things I want to buy

because the size may run smaller or larger than normal and the color is never the color you saw online but unfortunately most stores do not carry the item. Sometimes you have to order it online.

[DonCoquixote]

28. there is on thing that needs to be adressed

there are also a lot of small businesses, be they potters, health aids, booksellers,coffee roasters etc, who frankly the brick and mortar places REJECTED. I say this when I buy art supplies or roasted coffee or books from small presses that simply put, brick and mortar shuns. I can understand the way amazon made borders die, but I do not want the same people that shoved the small buisnesses to be able to do that again.

[Hoyt]

29. Too late. There are also a lot of businesses that started because of on-line selling, a lot.

Yes, the lost retail jobs are disturbing. But, lots of other people have been helped by on-line businesses. Also, people who can't get out easily have a way to shop. I don't know how we stop technology, or if we should. I do know that we need a government responsive to the changes. But we don't have that now.

[procon]

31. Brick and mortar stores must to adapt to the times we live in today,

not cling to the same business model that began to change when fast food chains edged out local restaurants. Changing customer demands are looking for quick convenience. I hate shopping because it wastes big chunks of my time, stresses me out, and makes me tired and sore. Other people dislike shopping due to age, disabilities, caregiver duties, transportation, work schedules, and so on.

Walmart has started a personal shopper service for groceries at no extra charge. Just go online, pick out what you want, pay, schedule a pickup time and a nice employee meets you and loads up your purchases so you never have to get out of the car. That's incredibly convenient, and they should expand it to include the whole store.

A local mexican supermarket provides a free shuttle service for shoppers and they've attracted a lot of new business from a big senior living complex. Pet groomers offer to bring their fully equipped van to your home and primp your pooch so you never have to drive across town.

There will always be niche markets for unique, specialty, one of a kind products where concierge service and quality make it a destination experience to be enjoyed. I can spend a lot of time and money in boutique stores that sell fine cheeses, wines and gourmet foods, and I expect my shopping trip to come with a bit of instruction and be entertaining as well. The same with stores that sell kitchen products, or an antique shop, I seek them out like going on an expedition.

[Adrahil]

33. Economies change over time. That is a truth.

WE cannot and should not stop it. So it's down to how we respond to it.