Shopping Online Versus On The Street

On June 18 the New York Times ran a story under the headline, "Online Sales Lose Steam," describing how growth of retail sales on the internet is slowing. One of the reasons, the article points out, is that shopping is not just about getting goods and services, its also about human contact and fun. Alex Gruzen, Senior Vice President for Consumer Products at Dell said as much: "There’s a recognition that some customers like a more interactive experience.” Harvard Business School Professor Nancy Koehn put it this way: “It’s not like you go onto Amazon and think: ‘I’m a little depressed. I’ll go onto this site and get transported.’ ” Online shopping is more a chore than an escape.

The article goes on to point out that storefront retailers are the big winners. But so aren't open air markets and street vendors. Being outside and dealing with people face to face is part of the adventure of open air shopping. And for all the security features of the internet, dealing in person is also a way to establish trust. If the internet has not spelled the end for store front retailing, then it surely has not killed open air markets.