5 reasons Canadians love to shop online

Online shopping exploded in 2020 and shows no sign of slowing down. Worldwide retail e-commerce sales grew more than 27% according to eMarketer data, with big brands and small, local stores jumping on the e-commerce bandwagon. For many consumers, there’s no going back to brick-and-mortar shopping since becoming accustomed to these five benefits of shopping at online stores.

[Photo Credit: Kittiphan]

If we’re honest, what we probably like most about online shopping is how little shopping is involved. If you know what you’re looking for, a simple search, click and pay is all the effort it takes. The prevalence of fast, and often free shipping, means your purchase can arrive at your door within a few days and sometimes just a few hours. Many businesses also offer curbside or in-store pickup options when shopping locally.

It’s hard to beat the convenience of being able to shop whenever it suits you, on any device. If you run out of pasta sauce or decide it’s time for a new pair of jeans at midnight, there’s always an online store waiting to serve you. Time saved can’t be understated either, especially when it comes to shopping for groceries online. What could take an hour wandering the aisles of the grocery store can be done from the comfort of home in minutes.

When you’re struggling with a purchasing decision, it can be reassuring to ask a friend for advice. Online shopping lets you tap into the opinions of an entire community of like-minded shoppers. You’ll find candid reviews that cover everything from product features to pricing to customer service. Reviews that are enhanced with buyer photos and videos can be just the thing to help choose the right style or model for you.

In the realm of in-person shopping, comparing prices can require a lot of legwork. When shopping online, search engines do the legwork for you making it easy to find the best prices for the things you want to buy. Savvy online shoppers are also familiar with the many online deals websites that can help you find discount codes for extra savings.

Buying clothes and shoes online was once unthinkable, but e-commerce has come a long way, baby. Brands create detailed sizing guides and specs to help you find the best fit. You can also order with confidence when merchants offer fair and transparent return policies. Order three dresses or boots in two sizes and simply return the ones that don’t fit. Do consumers miss cramming into clothing store dressing rooms with that ubiquitous unflattering lighting? Unlikely. The at-home try-on experience also means you can see how that new dress pairs with accessories already in your closet.

When something prevents you from getting to the store, online shopping brings the store to you. Whether it’s your schedule, your health, or a global pandemic, e-commerce makes it possible to get the goods you want and need, no matter what.

For over a century, Yellow Pages has been the leader in connecting Canadians with local stores, restaurants, and service providers across the country. At YP.ca it’s easy to shop local online: look for the shopping cart icon to indicate that the merchant has an e-commerce website.