Christmas Shopping Then and Now
(Photo by: newyorkecommerceforum.com)
With Christmas right around the corner, it is a known fact that Filipinos are slowly but surely going through their loved ones’ holiday wish lists. And thanks to the rise of e-commerce, people now have more than one way of purchasing gifts.
During the recent years, online shopping has been going the rounds in the Philippines. It slowly crept its way into our lives that we didn’t even notice that simple errands like shopping had been digitally incorporated. With the enticing offers such as cash on delivery payments, free shipping vouchers, flash deals and piso sales, who wouldn’t want to jump on the bandwagon?
Although, there is no doubt that online shopping offers us a different level of convenience as compared to in-store or personal shopping, recent studies from the Research and Tech Lab (RTL) show that 68.61% of Filipinos still prefer traditional shopping over online platforms. Traditional shopping includes shopping in brick and mortar stores, in malls, in shopping districts, and in bazaars. So, despite the availability of a quicker and more convenient method, why do some people still prefer going traditional when it comes to shopping?
Authenticity is in question
(Photo by: thebargainhunter.com)
When purchasing online, one of the obstacles a buyer has to overcome is whether the product they are considering to purchase is authentic or not. RTL’s studies show that the reason why Filipinos still choose to shop in person is because they are wary of site legitimacy as well as product authenticity. With the widespread selling of counterfeit and smuggled products, who can blame them?
Cost > Effort
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Shipping fees in online shopping sites vary and the same goes for the delivery time. The fees could range from Php 50.00 to Php 100.00, while delivery time is usually three to seven business days. Some people cannot wait that long especially when the product they are buying is something they need immediately. For most, they would rather go the extra mile to visit the store or shopping district to instantly get what they want than to pay extra for delivery then receive it in a later time.
Assurance is key
By shopping in person, people tend to feel this sense of assurance that what they are buying is worth paying for. In-store buying enables the shopper to “experience” the item first; this means that they can get a feel whether it is of good quality, or if it fits their expectations in terms of aesthetic and size. Besides this, the buyer is given a peace of mind since they will be getting the items immediately after purchasing without any worries of incorrect, cancelled, delayed, or even lost orders.
Cash over Card
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According to a survey made by Rappler, majority of their respondents aged 18-35 revealed that they do not own credit or debit cards. This preference for using cash to pay for purchases significantly affects their decision of where to shop. Most online shops nowadays accept a “cash on delivery” payment, but there are still quite a number of online stores that don’t. Meanwhile, brick and mortar stores, shopping districts, and bazaars are more than eager to take cash for payment.
Humans are social beings
Even with the constant rise of e-commerce in the Philippines, traditional, in-store shopping will never die out. Why? Because humans by nature are social animals and shopping is considered a form of social activity. In the views of German sociologist, Karl Marx, “human beings are intrinsically, necessarily and by definition social beings who, beyond being “gregarious creatures”, cannot survive and meet their needs other than through social co-operation and association.”
In conclusion, new isn’t always the best. Sometimes, it is more practical and necessary to do it the traditional way. Although online shopping offers people convenience like no other, it may also offer factors that may jeopardize one’s shopping. Indeed, the principle of “to see is to believe” should still be greatly applied in our decision making process. And what better way to spend your Christmas shopping errands than visiting the upcoming World Bazaar Festival 2019 that is sure to provide you all the assurance, experience and great offers under one roof? So, ready yourselves and your wallets, because the World Bazaar Festival is here to give shoppers a one of a kind shopping experience this Christmas season!
Organized by Worldbex Services International and presented in partnership with ABS-CBN, the 19th World Bazaar Festival is happening on December 14 to 23, 2019 at the World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM). For more information, follow @worldbazaarfestival on Facebook and Instagram, call (632) 8656-9239, or email inquire@worldbexevents.com.
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