How online shopping lost touch with reality

An analysis of the impact of e-commerce on our shopping habits and the larger cultural implications of this shift

May 8, 2023

With the rise of online shopping, people have lost touch with the physicality of shopping, leading to a lack of connection with products and a decrease in the satisfaction derived from the shopping experience.

Key takeaways

  • Traditional shopping used to be an immersive and sensory experience where people would engage with products through touch, sight, and smell;
  • The ease and convenience of online shopping have led to a shift in our shopping habits, with people more focused on the speed of purchasing rather than the experience of shopping;
  • The trend has resulted in a loss of social interaction that was once inherent in the shopping experience, as well as a decline in the ability to discover new products and experiences;
  • Online shopping has also led to a decline in the quality of products being produced, as companies prioritize cost-cutting measures over quality in order to compete in the online marketplace.

Get the full story at The Atlantic (subscription only)

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