Online Shopping

Online shopping refers to a form of consumer behavior that contrasts with in-store shopping and entails the consumer’s use of a seller’s website so as to browse, information gather, and purchase products and services. Sellers’ websites can thus be accessed using a personal computer, smartphone, or other such electronic device, such that sales transactions can occur. Many commercial websites function as Web-based mail order catalogs and allow the consumer to view images and other information about items for sale. Most, typically, also now provide an online payment system, along with a standardized delivery system. This entry discusses the scope of online grocery and food shopping and offers some examples of online food retailers and manufacturers.

Types of Merchandise

Online shopping is now used for a wide variety ...

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