Amazon was one of the first online stores to cater to flabbergasted users back in 1994. Since then, something now known as ‘the Amazon Effect’ has emerged. This effect refers to the way that the digital marketplace has affected more traditional trading forms. This effect allows consumers to easily shop from the comfort of their home and get fast delivery as well! Let’s explore in a little more detail how amazon has changed the way we shop.

Free & Fast Shipping

The concept of free shipping for Amazon Prime users has convinced consumers that Amazon is the way to go for a convenient online shopping experience! Another feature that Amazon Prime allows is express delivery, which means your order can arrive anywhere ranging from 1-2 days to an hour! Customers would obviously prefer buying online without the hassle of physically venturing out to a store to get what they want, thus, Amazon’s free and fast shipping has really changed the way we shop.

Unlimited Inventory

The problems with physical stores is that they have a limit of aisles and storage space that they can utilize. With Amazon, this problem does not arise, and a phenomenon known as the “endless aisle” has arisen! What this means is that customers have more choice and variety of products to select from.

Return Policies

Most physical stores do not allow items to be returned, thus shoppers can take advantage of Amazon’s return policy for unwanted items, which states that they reimburse the customer and also allow them to keep the product.

An Improved Customer Service Experience

The easy to use website and application that Amazon offers make the shopping experience widely different than traditional stores. With rating, reviews, recommendations based on the last purchase as well as automated emails, Amazon makes customers feel looked out for. This is one of the reasons why Amazon’s loyalty program AKA Amazon Prime has been doing exceptionally well on the market.

AmazonFresh

Providing online grocery services, shoppers do not have to take out time to go out and pick fresh and cheap produce from the market. AmazonFresh allows consumers to get their grocery shopping in as little as 15 minutes!

These are just some of the ways Amazon has changed the way we shop. One of the biggest and oldest e-commerce sites available, Amazon has definitely improved the consumer’s shopping experience, making it quicker, easier, cheaper and hassle-free.