The Internet has changed the retailing world. It has become an important channel through which retailers can communicate and offer products/service to consumers. You are to explore a couple of different retail strategies and discuss how the shopping experience varied.
Shopping for the product of your choice, select a traditional "brick-and-mortar" retailer and compare it to shopping at online retailer Amazon. Evaluate your shopping experience at each, comparing and contrasting them and your experiences on the basis of characteristics you think are important to consumers.
Full Answer Section
- Price:
- Barnes & Noble: The price was competitive, but I received a discount due to a current promotion.
- Amazon: The price was slightly lower than at Barnes & Noble, even without any promotions.
- Customer Experience:
- Barnes & Noble: I enjoyed browsing the store and discovering other books. The staff was helpful and knowledgeable.
- Amazon: The online shopping experience was convenient and efficient. I could easily search for the book, read reviews, and compare prices.
- Shipping and Delivery:
- Barnes & Noble: I could pick up the book in-store immediately.
- Amazon: I had to wait for the book to be shipped. While the shipping was relatively fast, there was a slight delay due to stock availability.
- Returns and Exchanges:
- Barnes & Noble: Returns and exchanges were easy to process in-store.
- Amazon: Returns and exchanges were also straightforward, but I had to ship the book back at my own expense.
Comparison and Contrasts:
- Product Availability: Amazon offered a wider selection of books and was more likely to have the desired edition in stock.
- Price: Amazon generally had lower prices, even without promotions.
- Customer Experience: While I enjoyed the browsing experience at Barnes & Noble, Amazon's convenience and efficiency were also appealing.
- Shipping and Delivery: Barnes & Noble offered the advantage of immediate pickup, while Amazon required shipping and delivery.
- Returns and Exchanges: Both retailers had similar return policies, but Amazon required customers to ship returns at their own expense.
Conclusion
Overall, my shopping experience was positive at both Barnes & Noble and Amazon. The choice between the two retailers depends on individual preferences and priorities. For those who value a physical shopping experience and immediate access to products, Barnes & Noble may be a better option. However
, for those who prioritize convenience, a wider selection, and lower prices, Amazon may be the preferred choice.
Sample Answer
For this comparison, I will focus on the purchase of a new book, "Sapiens: A Brief History of Humankind" by Yuval Noah Harari. I will compare my experience shopping for this book at a traditional brick-and-mortar bookstore (Barnes & Noble) and online through Amazon.
Characteristics for Comparison:
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Product Availability:
- Barnes & Noble: The store had a wide selection of books, including the desired title. However, the specific edition I wanted was out of stock.
- Amazon: Amazon offered a vast selection of books, including multiple editions of "Sapiens." The desired edition was readily available.