Question

Week 7 DQ4 (select 1 of remaining 3 DQs)

If you select this question, provide a thoughtful 250+ word response to all of the questions below (250 words total, not for each section). Also, remember to comment on some of these in order to meet the participation requirement for the week. Finally, please separate your answers by the parts of the question. It makes it easier to see your specific response to each part.

DQ4 – Comparing E--tailers

1. How do JCrew.com and Gap.com provide value to their customers beyond the physical products that they sell?

2. Why would a customer purchase online instead of going to the store?   What are some products that people “prefer” to purchase online and why?

3. Under what circumstances would the customer prefer a store-based experience? What are some products that people “prefer” to purchase in person and why?

Answer 1

1. Both e-commerce sites JCrew.com and Gap.com go to lengths, trying to add value to the customer experience apart from just selling the products. They inform the consumers about the latest fashion, which is in trend and give them an idea of how to try the new trend through various looks. The companies also provide various offers and discounts to the consumers for shopping on their website. The return of products is also facilitated through pickups based on consumer’s convenience. All these add value to the customer experience and make their shopping time memorable.

2. The various reasons why a customer purchases online instead of going to retail store are:

• Online shopping offers them the flexibility and convenience to buy from anywhere, at any time
• The consumer can browse through a variety of products within minutes on an online shopping site
• Going to retail store may have added expenses like transportation cost, restaurant cots, etc. Such added costs are absent in online shopping
• The consumers can conduct a price comparison of products that they like and buy the one which suits their pockets

The common things that people buy online are apparels, bags, shoes, accessories, books as well as electronics. They prefer buying these products online as online shopping offers a variety of products at the best rates.

3. Customers prefer a store-based experience if they want to touch, feel and try the product before buying. Customers, who like personalized interactions, also opt for retail buying. Also, if the customer wants the product urgently, they opt for retail shopping rather than online buying.

The common things that one likes buying in retail store are expensive jewelry, cars, etc. as they want to try and test the features before making such huge investment/expense.