Can e-commerce Replace Traditional Commerce?
Can ecommerce replace traditional commerce? This is the billion dollar question that everyone is asking themselves. Amidst this online craze, a lot of people are wondering whether the mushrooming and truly thriving ecommerce will eventually replace the traditional commerce.
Before looking at the possibilities of ecommerce wiping out traditional commerce for good, let’s take a look at the notable differences between the two modes of commerce and how they are related.
Differences between ecommerce and traditional commerce
Location
Whereas traditional commerce has all the transactions and exchange of goods and services conducted physically with both the buyer and seller present, ecommerce involves the purchase of goods and services online without the two parties necessarily meeting physically. The transactions are automated and the goods are not inspected before payment.
Scope of business
Whereas the traditional commerce has a limitation in terms of the scope of business and the area they can service, ecommerce has no limit whatsoever and anybody in the world can access the products and services on condition that the buyer and seller can agree on the shipping logistics.
Payment and delivery of goods
In ecommerce, payments are automated and come in electronic forms while in the traditional commerce, the exchange of goods and services is paid for physically either through cash, checks or even credit cards. The delivery of goods in the former takes some time because the seller has to liaise with shipping companies to facilitate the movement of the goods while in the traditional commerce, the goods are instantly delivered and the buyer leaves the store with the goods in hand.
Can e-commerce Replace Traditional Commerce?
In this modern era, people can exchange goods and services through the internet without necessarily meeting. This ecommerce, has revolutionized the way people are buying and selling online and there is a feeling that it will only be a matter of time before it completely replaces the traditional commerce.
Virtually all businesses are looking to ecommerce and this might give one the impression that the old traditional commerce will soon be non-existent. Is this possible though? Can ecommerce exist on its own without the traditional brick and mortar?
Ecommerce in more ways than one, is dependent on the traditional commerce and it is virtually impossible for the online business to thrive if the brick and mortar is dilapidated. Here is a good way to look at it; do people stop going to libraries despite the availability of pdfs and online libraries? Or do people stop going to watch movies in cinemas simply because movies are available online in platforms like Netflix?
Although ecommerce will reduce the number of physical interactions and the hustle of buyers having to go physically to the shop to buy whatever they are looking for, it is impossible for ecommerce to completely replace the brick and mortar. There are some aspects of business which ecommerce might help wipe out eventually but there are others which will forever remain because of the human nature.
There are things which you can’t just order online without going to the shop and trying them first before perhaps entrusting your mobile app with subsequent orders. Take for instance something like a new cologne which you want to try for the first time. Although the ads might be appealing, it is within us humans to always try the cologne out first before making an order. This also applies to things like foods, clothing and similar industries.
There is also the aspect of human interaction and the joy of going on a shopping spree. There is a lot of joy in going to a store or a mall to shop for groceries and other supplies in the house. It gives us a good chance to take a break from our daily lives and spend some quality time with our families while shopping. However much you enjoy ordering supplies through a mobile ad, the thrill will never quite beat the feeling of pushing a cart in a store while checking out some other cool stuff in there.
Technology might make our shopping life easier but this does not mean that it will replace the traditional commerce mode which all humans seem to enjoy however tedious it might look. For the two modes of commerce to succeed, businesses must strike a fine balance between offering innovative ecommerce solutions and maintaining the traditional brick and mortar model which people can identify with.
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