An increasing number of people are buying what they need online. What are the advantages and disadvantages for both individuals and companies to shopping on line.

In the past decade, many individuals have been changing how they acquire products, as they prefer to buy online

instead

of visiting physical shops. While

this

new behaviour may have some advantages, there are several consequences that might be highly prejudicial to our society. Supporters of online shopping point out some advantages.

Firstly

, it might be very convenient for consumers, as we can find a lot of things by accessing one single website.

For instance

, we can do our groceries and buy car products at the same time by accessing Amazon. In the past, we would have to visit several

stores

, perhaps in different parts of the city, to find these items.

Secondly

, it is safer.

This

is particularly relevant in locations where the crime rate is high. In my hometown,

for example

, there are several robberies in areas where

stores

are located.

Finally

, for patients with disability online shopping could be an important tool, as many cities across the world do not have appropriate public transportation for

this

population and

stores

which are adapted to serve them.

Although

I agree that the above arguments are valid, I do not believe that

this

steadily increased number of online

stores

is beneficial for our economy. Many small businesses cannot afford to have an online website and physical

stores

. Not only, are store closing their doors but

also

a lot of employees are losing their job

.

Change the punctuation

?

show examples

My grandfather,

for example

, had a grocery store for more than 40 years in my hometown, unfortunately, he could not compete with big online supermarkets, and he closed his shop

last

year.

Moreover

, by shopping online, we lose interaction with other consumers and sellers.

This

can be relevant when we need a

second

opinion before acquiring an important item.

For instance

, I like to hear the expert opinion of sellers when I buy electronic devices

such

as mobiles and computers. In a nutshell, at a

first

glance, the use of the internet to shop may be interesting.

However

, in a more detailed analysis of its consequences,

this

can be extremely harmful to our economy.