I’m not sure about sporting goods, but I’m certain that online shopping is doing a real number on retail stores. I’m one of those women who loved shopping and going in all the stores just to look; but now I almost never go into a department store or a mall. It’s just too much walking, for one thing; and places like Amazon make shopping online so easy.
I will go to a department store to buy shoes, now; that’s about it.
-JT
No doubt about it. You can't buy everything online, but each online order is one less trip to the mall or big box store. That means that all those impulse buys that happen when you wander into other stores "since I'm here anyway" go away. Out of sight, out of mind.
Better selection, better prices, fantastic return policy, delivered to your door in 24-48 hours. Shipping costs less than gas to the mall and back.
I bought my first pair of shoes online a few months back. I bought Timberland’s traditional shoe that I couldn’t find locally. If you know your size, you’ll do fine. Amazon even tells you if the manufacturer’s shoe sizes run on the large or small side. I’ll probably be getting more shoes online.
“I’m one of those women who loved shopping and going in all the stores just to look; but now I almost never go into a department store or a mall. It’s just too much walking,”
Me and my GF actually go to the mall. It’s called window shopping. You test/fit a product and later order it online. Sitting on your ass is more unhealthy than “walking” to the mall.