It may not have been that long ago, but it’s hard to imagine the time when online shopping wasn’t yet available. We had to make all of our purchases in person, over the phone, or via postal mail.
Of course, these methods can still be used for purchasing items. However, shopping online is always going to be an easier option. Nearly every facet of every industry has been changed by the e-commerce revolution, and it looks like these changes are permanent.
As e-commerce rose to the forefront of the global economy, the United States switched from a production-based industry to a service-based industry. The large majority of manufacturing today is carried out in other countries, such as Japan, Taiwan, and China. Some of the largest and most profitable companies in the U.S. are now internet-related businesses.
Some companies don’t even offer physical products. Google only offers an information-retrieving service, yet it makes billions of dollars. Microsoft sells some manufactured goods, such as the Zune and Xbox, but the majority of its revenue comes from software sales.
E-commerce has globalized the job market as well. Companies can hire professionals from across the planet, which also increases the competition for this work far beyond the local job market. Previously, companies had to hire local employees and pay for an office for them to work in.
The global marketplace has allowed companies to outsource certain aspects of their work to companies like India and Russia, and for a much lower cost. As technology improves and more jobs can be done via an internet connection, more jobs will be outsourced and those looking for work will find even more competition.
Even those who remember the days before the internet have come to accept online shopping. Baby boomers have lived without the convenience of online purchases for a large portion of their adult lives, but they have become increasingly devoted online shoppers.
These baby boomers should continue to migrate toward online shopping as their need for services increases. It’ also very likely that the e-commerce industry will continue to grow by leaps and bounds for at least two more decades.
This author also frequently blogs about topics such as shower curtains and kids bath towels.


