Outshopping Through the Internet: A Multicountry Investigation

Abstract

From the viewpoint of trade leakage for local retailers, Internet shopping bears a similarity to traditional outshopping, in the tendency to shop outside the consumer's immediate shopping areas. Yet, the relationship between consumer outshopping−related characteristics and preference for Internet shopping has received little, if any, research attention. We investigate this relationship using survey data from consumers in three countries-the United States, India, and Korea. According to the results, consumer in-home shopping proneness and perception of time pressure are positively related to consumer preference for Internet shopping mode. In contrast, consumer support for local shopping and orientation toward time management are negatively related to Internet shopping preference. Other findings and managerial implications are also reported.

Consumer mobility in the Scottish isles: The impact of internet adoption upon retail travel patterns

“…Goods and services traditionally purchased locally are now bought 'off island' and therefore constitute a form of 'outshopping' (Lee et al, 2009). Given the fragility of many island economies, this 'trade leakage' is likely to disproportionately affect local businesses.…”

“…While the benefits that stemmed from innovations such as teleshopping were acknowledged (Salomon and Koppelman 1988), it was also recognised that consumer mobility patterns remained complex. For example, Hjorthol (2002) identified that on-line availability did not reduce the number of trips made and acts as an additional channel that complemented conventional shopping behaviour (Farag et al, 2006a;2007;Lee et al, 2009;Ren and Kwan, 2009;Sim and Koi, 2002;Weltevreden 2006). In contrast, the SAC (2012) noted how the internet could reduce the number of journeys made by consumers in rural areas.…”

“…In contrast, those respondents with a drive time in excess of 60 minutes were most likely to have reduced the number of visits made. Although Lee et al, (2009) noted the modest impact that internet adoption could have upon travel patterns, given the previously noted issues surrounding island retailing, it is perhaps surprising that e-commerce has not had a greater impact upon consumer mobility. Moreover, such findings do little to support previous research.…”

“…Individuals are better informed, able to shop at a time convenient to themselves, have access to products unavailable in the local market as well as being able to save both time and money (Collins and Wellman 2010). Using the internet overcomes the pressures associated with bricks and mortar retailing (such as overcrowding, parking and queues) and allows less mobile individuals to access a wider range of goods and services (Larson 2009;Lee et al 2009).…”

The impact of internet adoption upon the shopping behaviour of island residents

“…Using the internet was seen to overcome the pressures associated with bricks and mortar retailing (such as overcrowding, parking and queues) and allowed older, less mobile individuals to access a wider range of goods and services (Larson 2009;Lee et al 2009). This theme was further developed by Hjorthol (2009) who identified that the availability of the internet changed previously established patterns of shopping behaviour.…”