Retailers are complaining about on line shoppers deserting them for cheaper offerings on line.
It's easy to see why shoppers are going for the lower prices, but I wonder if they have thought this through.
The main retail offerings on the web are women's, men's and children's clothing. These offers arrive unsolicited in my inbox daily. Certainly the prices are low but I am not tempted- at least not so far. I have an appreciation of the work put in by the real life retailers in choosing appropriate product for local climate and lifestyle. The risks they take are high. I understand how much it costs them to pay high street rents and to pay for good staff. I also appreciate their advice. I know how many poor choices I have made by myself and I trust these people to help me save money by not buying items that are not suitable.
Left to myself I suspect I would end up looking mismatched and either dowdy or wearing clothing too young for me. I see many people who could benefit from advice.
So, for me, shopping for clothes on the web would not be cheaper because it would entail hiring a stylist and I understand they don't come cheap. I also like to see the clothes on me so I can check for too short , too long, too low in the front, crooked hem etc . Yes, I know they can be sent back for refund but I don't even like going to the post office at any time. My local post office is not within walking distance and it is impossible to park without running the risk of a parking ticket. I could have it delivered to the office, but then I have to carry my parcel, my gym bag, my hand bag and my computer bag home. Somehow the attraction cannot compete for the inconvenience.
The internet is changing the way we interact , the way we do business and the way we shop. The main lure of online shopping is price. The main loss is service. It seems many are happy to forego this
If we apply the same concepts to service businesses when consumers have decided they don't want to pay for service, then what do service businesses have left to sell? The answer is expertise. But what happens when expertise is no longer valued?
I can see the accounting services sector having to compete with low cost offerings out of India and China. Certainly accountants in these areas can study the local tax codes and do our accounting via web based services. I think accounting services are very vulnerable to this threat. I like to know that my accountant is truly up to date with the regular changes in the tax codes. He has also done good work for me in the past and helped me a great deal. I appreciate that and would not desert him for a cheaper service.
Solicitors have some protection from this. They have been challenged by local conveyencers but maintain their tranche of the work quite well. They are protected from competition from offshore in matters that come to court as solicitors need to be admitted in this country and non admitted solicitors cannot come into court. Perhaps barrister's opinions may be sought from other countries saving the extreme cost of barrister's opinions in this country. Again what price expertise?
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