Internet based online purchasing vs. purchasing in physical stores (offline)

Abstract

Internet-based purchasing ("online") is an alternative to traditional purchasing in a physical store ("offline"). First "online" purchasing is analyzed in the context of digital transformation, as a consequence of digitization (switching from analog to digital processes) and digitalization (introduction of computers and the internet). Secondly, "online" purchases are examined through three perspectives: (1) frequency of "online" purchasing, (2) consumer preferences during "online" purchasing, and (3) the amount of money spent on "online" purchasing. Finally, in last two decades we witness the increasing role of "online" purchasing versus the decreasing role of traditional "offline" purchasing in physical stores.

Keywords

• online shopping
• consumer preferences