Electronic marketing has contributed vast amounts of positive value to the life of modern societies. It assists in the purchasing of goods at little cost without limit or restrictions. It allows the user to easily compare goods between companies in relation to price, model, location, etc. all from the comfort of their home/office. e-Marketing has quashed the monopoly of goods and materials, all which have resulted in benefits for the consumer
Although e-marketing is perceived to have all these strong positive associations, there are many disadvantages that a coupled to it as well. Privacy of the consumer has been deleted as all movements through the internet are traceable and under control, not to mention such acts of hackers and false merchants who reveal private information and credit card details. Facebook for example, has the right to access all of your “private” information; despite it appearing confidential. Should they have so much power, even though you agreed to the contract that allows them to do so?
Agents, merchants, ‘middle men’, have been vanquished, whole industries downsized, because it gives consumers the chance for direct contact with the producer of the goods they are seeking. This technology has been blamed for the downturn of retail, as consumers can purchase the same goods online, with less effort and at a lower cost. Small businesses, have struggled to compete with the mass providers, as they cannot compete on cost.
E-marketing is no doubt here to stay and is evolving at a rampant rate, but have society, jumped behind e-marketing too much, with a lack of regard for the repercussions it may have on you and greater society? Do we need to think more about our actions on the internet? How will it affect the future?
Great post, with some BIG questions. I'm a little more optimistic, instead preferring to believe that the evolution of "e" just means people and businesses have to change. eMarketig isn't to blame for the downturn in retail, it's the retailers who are being myopic. Nothing is stopping them from moving online too - it's still retail, even if it's not F2F.
ReplyDeleteAdditionally, online can have the effect of levelling the playing field, as smaller businesses can reach their customers more easily than before. This gives them the ability to compete with the bigger players in their industry.
Yes, there are some negatives, but it's not all doom and gloom.
Hey mate i just wrote a very similar article actually. There is no doubt retailers are heading out the door, and theres no way we could possibly slow that down just to protect jobs and the community. If people can get a better deal online without leaving the house, then they will do it. It was just a matter of time!!
ReplyDeleteI also agree with Wags comments. Everyone can go online and its virtually (excuse the pun) free. So why not these retail stores? In some ways, it will actually save them money as they don't need to pay for rent and labour..
Still, there are positives and negatives to everything!
Boom! love some good quality feedback, thanks to both of you.
ReplyDeleteDoes it apply to all retailers though? i find it hard to think that in the future we may find them all on the internet.
i can understand groceries and conventional items such as clothes, stationary, electronics, but think about bigger ticketed items like sports cars, houses, etc. will we see some retailers selling them exclusively online?
companies are facilitating the transaction of mail order brides over the internet, so really who knows?