Internet Shopping is a phenomenon which has hit the world and become one of the most popular ways of consumers buying their favourite goods. The most well known internet shopping site is by far eBay. Worldwide it is known as the place to get anything and everything. Weird and wonderful items are regularly sold on eBay as well as the more common and practical items. EBay shot to fame within a space of a few years as more and more people were attracted to its easy setup and low costs. But is eBay and others like it really going to take over the world of shopping?



In many respects eBay has already become the world's biggest shop. It is a global brand that almost everyone has heard of. There are of course the people who refuse to be involved in the exciting world of eBay but in general it is probably the most popular shop in the western world. Eastern traders use it to flog their cheap goods, while western consumers happily buy them as the price can be half what they expect to pay on the high street. Though eBay and other such sites offer a great, cheap alternative to the more conventional shopping malls, they have not taken over the world yet. Firstly, it is important to remember that web sales only account for about ten percent of sales in the US so it online shopping still has a way to go.

Furthermore, there are some goods that just would not be bought online as people often want to see what they are buying. Web shopping also does not appeal to people who are not computer literate and with web crime on the rise people are becoming more and more reluctant to give their details out to people on the web. Additionally, high street stores are lowering their prices to compete with the web which again offers consumers the choice and even if the price is cheaper on the web, you can't go out shopping with your friends on the web so there will always be a market for the shopping malls. We have to remember that for many shopping is not just getting the lowest price, it is the whole experience of going out and enjoying yourself.

So, sites like eBay are a fast growing place for goods to be bought and sold but putting it into context we are far from the end from the traditional shopping mall.