More often nowadays, you hear of the various in-person stores and locations that close or go out of business. The huge competition that online shopping brings has had devastating effects on the brick-and-mortar setup that many industries relied on. Despite this, these stores still offer experiences that no website can replicate, which is why they still hold great importance to many consumers.
Yes, online stores can be very convenient for items you don’t want to go out of your way for, but going to actual locations to shop offers a more personal experience. It’s great to be able to speak to employees about a product you’re interested in or randomly bump into someone you know. The world at large is so chronically online these days that any sort of excuse to go outside can be a godsend for socialization. I have met so many people over the years while going to stores and talking to them about common interests.
Not only are brick-and-mortar stores great places for socializing, but they can also be a better way to shop. I think many of us can recall a time when we purchased something online, and what we got was nothing like what we expected. Being able to hold the product in your hands before buying it, you have the ultimate quality assurance. Return policies also ensure that you can get your money back if you don’t like what you bought.
Overall, I would say that the end of brick-and-mortar locations would be the end of so many fun experiences, which is why I like to support local areas whenever I can!
