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ONLINE V/S OFFLINE SHOPPING: A
COMPARATIVE STUDY
Amanjyoti Kaur
Assistant Professor
Department of Journalism & Mass Communication
Khalsa College Amritsar, Punjab.
Introduction
In the contemporary times, development of technology has made the consumers purchase path extremely
diversified. Internet has changed the way of business and consumer communication. The growth rate of use
of internet is very rapid in India. Online shopping is popularly known as E-Shopping, allows customer to
buy goods and service directly from a seller through Internet using websites or mobile applications. Online
shopping websites offer customers with a variety of product and services. It gives customers more chances to
compare price from different websites and the products with lower prices.
Ever since the advent of civilisation, purchasing of product from shops, stores or markets have been
continued. Now-a-days Internet took over the command of shopping over footfall shopping. Many
consumers still go for purchasing from markets as they prefer to examine the product before giving the
money. More than 75% of internet users are youngsters in India. Online shopping has an easy access to more
products and information 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. Among the youth, students who have internet
experience can search and find information quickly and as majority of them do not have time to go for
offline shopping, so they try to purchase over internet. There are certain factors which influence consumers
towards online shopping such as convenience, information, review, price selection and privacy.
There are a large number of online portals out there. Among those Top 5 Ranking Online Shopping sites are:
Amazon.in, flipkart.com, Snapdeal.com, Jabong.com and Myntra.com. Here are a few classifications of ECommerce websites by product categories:Fashion Websites: Myntra, Shein, Jabong, Ajio, Yepme
Online Furniture websites: Pepper Fry, Urban Ladder, FabFurnish, InLiving
Top Online Grocery Shopping sites: BigBasket, Grofers, ZopNow, PepperTap
Famous Online shopping sites for Beauty Products: Nykaa, Purplle, Feelunique, Slassy
Electronic Shopping sites: TechBargains, Slickdeals, Newegg, Micro Center.
A Consumer may use both shopping channels differently. Some consumers may use physical stores as the
primary shopping channel and internet as a supplementary channel whereas others may follow reverse
pattern. The fundamental problem that motivated this study is what factors determine online purchasing
behaviour and how is it different from offline shopping. The Goal of this study is to understand what
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influences and motivates consumers to choose between online and offline channels during their purchase
journey. According to Internet and Mobile Association of India (IAMAI), youngsters in India are the
majority users. Being the majority users, youngsters concentrate as important market segment in online
retailing. Significance of this study is that E-commerce has become very popular in youth. As more and
more websites being offered, E-commerce has significant impact on consumers buying behaviour.
Therefore, it is essential to analyze consumers shopping behaviour, explore their satisfaction level through
online and offline purchase and determine the factors influencing online purchasing.
Objectives
1) To analyse the preferable medium of shopping by consumers in recent times.
2) To find the attributes that drive consumers towards online shopping.
3) To study the buying behaviour of youngsters and middle aged people.
Methodology
The exploratory research has been done to analyse the attributes that drives consumers towards online and
offline shopping. The exploratory research is undertaken to conduct shopping behaviour of consumers by
comparative study of Online and Offline Shopping. Survey is conducted to meet the objectives of the study.
This method has been used to explore the concept of shopping that is Online and Offline shopping by
comparing them. The tool has been used for data collection is Questionnaire consist of 25 questions related
to consumers purchasing behaviour and factors influencing including multiple choice, open and close ended
questions. This tool helps to collect information quickly from a large audience. Both males and females of
age group below and above 35 were examined. The sample size of 100 people has been taken, among those
50 are above and 50 are below the age group of 35.
Review
Recent survey published in THE ECONOMIC TIMES (2018) revealed that more than 120 million Indian
buyers shop over internet by browsing websites. The statistical analysis (2017) illustrates the comparison in
the number of online consumers across India in 2016 and 2017. Chawla, Kha and Pandey (2015) conducted
a research to study the internal usage and online shopping patterns of university students in India. Students
are the majority one to shop online.Tulsi Raval (2014) stated with the increase in usage of Smartphone and
desktop, online shopping increases in Indians. The main noticeable factor is buyer's behaviour.
In India, a buyer looks for a cheap rate item which leads maximum sales during the sale season. Karim
(2013) conducted a study on online shopping behaviour of customers. Yaobin Lu (2011), focused on factors
that persuades buyers behavioural change to shift from offline to online medium. The study has revealed that
technology innovations provide benefit leads customers in shifting from Offline to Online channel.
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Data Analysis and Interpretation
Q1) How often do you use internet per day?
INTERNET
USAGE
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
PER DAY
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
More than 4 hours
25%
5%
30%
3-4 hours
15%
___
15%
2-3 hours
10%
10%
20%
1-2 hours
___
10%
10%
Less than an hour
___
25%
25%
25%
20%
15%
10%
BELOW 35
5%
ABOVE 35
0%
ABOVE 35
More than
3-4 hours
2-3 hours
4 hours
BELOW 35
1-2 hours
Less than
an hour
The above Chart shows that majority consumers below the age of 35 tends to use internet more than 4 hours
per day, whereas mostly buyers above the age of 35 consumes less than an hour over internet. Recently,
internet has been used more than 4 hours by maximum number of respondents.
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Q2) What is your most preferable medium for shopping?
MOST
PREFERABLE
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
SHOPPING
MEDIUM
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
ONLINE
45%
10%
55%
OFFLINE
5%
40%
45%
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
BELOW 35
25%
ABOVE 35
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Online
Offline
The chart depicts that Online Shopping is more preferable medium among youngsters (i.e) below the age of
35. On the other hand, the elder one mostly indulged to shop from markets or stores or shops.
Collectively, it has been observed that the most preferred medium for shopping is Online by majority of
respondents.
Q3) Elaborate your reason that makes you not to shop from the other medium.
BELOW 35 :
Respondents having below 35 of age group are more likely to indulge in Online Shopping. Their views for
not shopping from markets or stores are:
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Availability of less variety as compared to online
Offline shopping offers lesser discounts. Hence, it is more expensive.
Markets or stores are far away from home Therefore, online shopping makes easier to purchase and
get the product or service at home without dealing with huge traffic
Shopkeepers confuse customers while purchasing an item.
Lots of Time and energy consuming
In some situations, consumers revealed that it is tough to deal with retailers.
Busy and hectic schedules of daily life acts as an obstacle towards Offline shopping
ABOVE 35:
Respondents above age group of 35 are more attracted to purchase from markets or stores rather than
browsing over internet. Here are their major responses:
Majority of consumers admitted that they had never done online shopping. Therefore they are not
familiar with online purchasing.
Moreover, consumers have lots of trust issues on online websites.
Most of them consider that online shopping is wastage of time and money. Instead of keep on
waiting for the product, it is better to buy instant from market.
The elder ones believes that it is foolishness to spend money where there is no credibility
Majority of buyers above the age of 35 does not like to spend money before the examination of the
product
Bargaining is also a factor which online shopping do not provide.
Q4) How often do you browse the shopping websites?
TIME
CONSUMING
WHILE
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
BROWSING
WEBSITES
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
DAILY
10%
___
10%
EVERY
10%
10%
20%
15%
5%
20%
ALTERNATE DAY
TWICE A WEEK
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ONCE A WEEK
10%
5%
15%
RARELY
5%
___
5%
NEVER
___
30%
30%
30%
25%
20%
15%
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
Daily
Every
alternate
day
Twice a
week
Once a
week
Rarely
Never
This question was asked to analyze the activity of buyers on shopping websites. Among the respondents
below the age of 35, most of them browse shopping websites twice a week followed by rest. And it is
cleared from above chart that the majority of elder consumers never browse any shopping website as they
prefer to shop offline.
Q5) How long you have been purchasing online?
YEARS SPENT IN
PURCHASING
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
ONLINE
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
More than 4 years
5%
___
5%
3-4 years
30%
___
30%
2-3 years
10%
10%
20%
1-2 years
___
10%
10%
NOT AT ALL
5%
30%
45%
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30%
25%
20%
15%
BELOW 35
10%
ABOVE 35
5%
0%
ABOVE 35
More than
3-4 years
2-3 years
4 years
BELOW 35
1-2 years
Not at all
From the above graph, it depicts that maximum number of young customers purchasing online since 3-4
years and the least number of consumers fall in Categories of More than 4 years and not at all. Whereas
elderly buyers follow the opposite pattern.
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Q6) How many times you purchase each month on an average from online shopping
Websites?
NUMER
OF
ITEMS
PURCHASED ON
AN
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
AVERAGE
PER MONTH
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
More than 10
___
___
___
7-10
5%
___
5%
4-7
5%
10%
15%
Less than 4
20%
10%
30%
Can't Say
15%
___
15%
Not At All
5%
30%
35%
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
More than
10
7 to 10
4 to 7
Less than 4
Can't say
Not at all
The above graphical representation has shown the number of items purchased by online shoppers on an
average per month. As the respondents below 35 age are more active in online purchasing found to shop up
to 4 items each month mostly.
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Q7) Which of the following shopping website you like to shop from ?
PREFEERABLE
SHOPPING
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
WEBSITES
BELOW 35
AMAZON
and
FLIPKART
(I)
SNAPDEAL,
JABONG
and
MYNTRA
(II)
CLUB
FACTORY
and SHEIN
(III)
EBAY
(IV)
NONE OF THEM
ABOVE 35
25%
15%
40%
10%
5%
15%
5%
___
5%
___
___
___
10%
30%
40%
(V)
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
(I)
(II)
(III)
(IV)
(V)
The Chart has shown that Amazon and Flipkart are the highly preferred online shopping websites followed
by Snapdeal, Jabong and Myntra by the respondents of below the age group of 35. Few online customers
among the elder generation also prefers Amazon and Flipkart the most.
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Q8) Select the following Ads that triggers your behaviour towards online shopping.
MOST
APPEALING ADS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
TO BUYERS
BELOW 35
DISCOUNT ADS
FESTIVAL
ABOVE 35
20%
10%
30%
15%
10%
25%
5%
___
5%
___
___
___
10%
30%
40%
and
SALE
ADS
ONE
ON
ONE
OFFER
FREE GIFT ADS
NONE OF THEM
30%
25%
20%
15%
10%
BELOW 35
5%
ABOVE 35
0%
ABOVE 35
Discount
Ads
Festival
and Sale
Ads
One on
one offer
BELOW 35
Free Gift
Ads
None of
them
This question was asked to determine the factors persuade online shopping. And, it has been found that
Discount Ads, Festival Ads and Sale Ads acts as catalysts for buyers to shop more from online websites
among the respondents of both age groups.
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Q9) Do you think online shopping is a platform that save your time and energy ?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
OPINION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
35%
20%
55%
NO
___
30%
30%
CAN'T SAY
15%
___
15%
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
15%
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
To analyze the buyers opinion about online shopping, this question was asked.
And it has been observed that majority of customers from both the age groups agrees that purchasing online
saves time and energy. But collectively, maximum elderly respondents do not agree with this.
Q10) Do you believe online shopping is less expensive as compared to offline shopping ?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
OPINION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
35%
20%
55%
NO
5%
30%
35%
CAN'T SAY
10%
___
10%
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35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
ABOVE 35
0%
BELOW 35
Yes
No
Can't say
Majority of young consumers believes that online shopping is less expensive than offline shopping. But,
there is a contradiction as the elder respondents believes that buying over internet is expensive as compared
to buy from markets or stores.
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Q11) "Online shopping will take the command over offline shopping"
Do you agree with this statement?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VIEWPOINT
BELOW 35
STRONGLY
ABOVE 35
5%
___
5%
AGREE
10%
___
10%
NEUTRAL
20%
5%
25%
DISAGREE
15%
15%
30%
20 %
20%
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
20%
18%
16%
14%
12%
10%
BELOW 35
8%
ABOVE 35
6%
4%
2%
0%
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
The researcher got neutral response from young respondents and after maximum respondents does not agree
that online shopping will take command over offline shopping.
On the other hand, the buyers among the age group of above 35 are highly disagree with this state4ment.
Q12) "Offline shopping will disappear in the future"
What is your consent regarding this?
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CONSUMERS
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RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VIEWPOINT
BELOW 35
STRONGLY
ABOVE 35
___
___
___
AGREE
___
___
___
NEUTRAL
5%
___
5%
DISAGREE
10%
5%
15%
35%
45%
80%
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
BELOW 35
20%
ABOVE 35
15%
10%
5%
0%
Strongly
agree
agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
Offline shoppers totally disagree that offline shopping will disappear in future. In fact, majority of young
generation that are highly indulged in online shopping also does not agree that offline shopping will extinct.
Q13) Do you feel that Online shopping has becoming an addiction?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
OPINION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
40%
45%
85%
NO
___
___
___
CAN'T SAY
10%
5%
15%
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45%
40%
35%
30%
25%
BELOW 35
20%
ABOVE 35
15%
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
The respondents from both the age groups extremely agreed that Online shopping has becoming an addiction
now-a-days. And there is not even a single buyer who disagreed with this.
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Q14) "Online shopping is a platform where consumer reach the latest International fashion
trend is the main factor behind the growth of E-Commerce"
Do you agree with this statement?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VIEWPOINT
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
25%
20%
45%
AGREE
10%
15%
25%
NEUTRAL
10%
10%
20%
DISAGREE
5%
5%
10%
___
___
___
STRONGLY
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
25%
20%
15%
10%
BELOW 35
5%
ABOVE 35
0%
ABOVE 35
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
BELOW 35
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
More than half of respondents from the age group of below 35 agrees that Online shopping is a platform
where consumer reach the latest International fashion trends is the main factor behind the growth of ECommerce.
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has
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case
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Q15) Do you get irritated due to unnecessary botheration by an online website after the moment you browse
an item?
CUSTOMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
REACTION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
ALWAYS
10%
10%
20%
SOMETIMES
20%
10%
30%
NEVER
20%
___
20%
___
30%
30%
NO
BOTHERATION
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
Always
Sometimes
Never
No botheration
From above representation, it has been observed that being bothered due to unnecessary poking by online
websites, young respondents are still most likely to purchase over internet.
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Q16) Do you agree that goods which are not available on Cash on Delivery (COD)
Restrict the purchasing behaviour?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VIEWPOINT
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
___
5%
5%
AGREE
30%
35%
65%
NEUTRAL
10%
10%
20%
DISAGREE
10%
___
10%
___
___
___
STRONGLY
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
40%
30%
20%
BELOW 35
10%
ABOVE 35
0%
ABOVE 35
strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
BELOW 35
Disagree
Strongly
agree
Cash on Delivery is necessary while buying online as the elder consumers highly agree that unavailability of
COD restricts online purchasing behaviour. On the contrary side, young buyers has given mixed response as
well in addition to agreement.
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Q 17) "Previous Researches have concluded that Younger generation is more attracted to shop online than
elder ones"
Do you agree ?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VIEWPOINT
BELOW 35
STRONGLY
ABOVE 35
30%
35%
65%
AGREE
20%
15%
35%
NEUTRAL
___
___
___
DISAGREE
___
___
___
___
___
___
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
Strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
From the above data, it has been shown that respondents of both the age groups are fully agree that Younger
generation is more attracted towards online shopping as compared to the elder ones.
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Q18. While shopping online, do you ask your close ones about the product for their opinion before
purchasing?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
ATTITUDE
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
ALWAYS
10%
5%
15%
RARELY
25%
___
25%
NEVER
15%
15%
30%
___
30%
30%
NO PURCHASE
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
Always
Rarely
Never
No purchase
To know the online shopping behaviour of a buyer, the above question has been asked. It has been observed
that online buyers are mostly rely on the opinions of their close ones before placing online order.
Q19. What is your opinion about your preferred medium of shopping?
BELOW 35:
Respondents of this age group preferred Online medium over Offline. Views about their preferred shopping
channel :
Online shopping offers large number of variety.
The product can be ordered and delivered at home.
Availability of every single item on a single platform.
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Low Price as compared to markets or stores.
Provides good quality.
Heavy discounts and sales leads a buyer to shop more.
Online shopping is less time consuming as compared to offline.
Online channel provides consumers to go through various brands at a time
It is easy to shop from anywhere, anytime without dealing with crowd and harsh climatic conditions.
ABOVE 35:
The elder generation's most preferred shopping medium is Offline. Here are their perceptions regarding
online shopping:
Mostly consumers believes that examination of the product before payment is necessary.
Consumers shared that they like to interact with vendors for their opinion
They also admitted that bargaining is also a factor that encourage offline shopping.
The habit of comparing prices by visiting various shops or stores.
Going out for shopping refreshers the mind.
Their verdict about offline shopping is that it is more credible and authentic as compared to Online.
Respondents also concluded that Offline shopping never fails at reaching customers satisfaction.
Q20) Do you feel that Lack of internet knowledge encourage offline shopping?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
OPINION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
50%
45%
95%
NO
___
___
___
CAN'T SAY
___
5%
5%
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50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
BELOW 35
25%
ABOVE 35
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
To determine whether the proficiency of internet affects the shopping medium and buyers shopping
behaviour or not, the above data has been collected.
And, there was not even a single respondent who disagree that Lack of internet knowledge does not
encourage offline shopping. The response of consumers are totally in favour.
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Q21. "Bad experience in online shopping leads in lack of trust on online world and service providers
persuade consumers to offline purchase"
Do you agree?
CONSUMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
ESTIMATION
BELOW 35
STRONGLY
ABOVE 35
25%
50%
75%
AGREE
15%
___
15%
NEUTRAL
10%
___
10%
DISAGREE
___
___
___
___
___
___
AGREE
STRONGLY
DISAGREE
50%
40%
30%
20%
BELOW 35
10%
ABOVE 35
0%
ABOVE 35
strongly
agree
Agree
Neutral
BELOW 35
Disagree
Strongly
disagree
All the respondents above the age group of 35 fully agreed with the given statement. Young buyers also gave
positive response that bad experience and lack of trust persuade consumers towards offline shopping.
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Q22. Do you think that Offline shopping is more credible and authentic than online shopping?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
PERCEPTION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
25%
30%
55%
NO
10%
___
10%
CAN'T SAY
15%
20%
35%
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
15%
ABOVE 35
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
Maximum number of Young customers admitted that online shopping is more credible and authentic as
compared to offline. The response of older respondents was in favour of Offline shopping.
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Q23) Do you feel that examination and trial of a product before purchasing is necessary ?
BUYERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
OPINION
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
40%
50%
90%
NO
5%
___
5%
CAN'T SAY
5%
___
5%
50%
45%
40%
35%
30%
BELOW 35
25%
ABOVE 35
20%
15%
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
The graphical representation has shown that vast majority of respondents from both the age groups believes
that examination and trial of the product before purchasing is necessary which online offline shopping
provides.
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Q24) Do you feel that Footfall shopping is a way of bringing fun and joy and refreshes the
Buyer’s mind as they go out ?
CUSTOMERS
RESPONDENTS
TOTAL
VERDICT
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
YES
30%
35%
65%
NO
10%
5%
15%
CAN'T SAY
10%
10%
20%
35%
30%
25%
20%
BELOW 35
ABOVE 35
15%
10%
5%
0%
Yes
No
Can't say
The above collected data has given consumers verdict which is the majority of respondents from both the
age groups supports that footfall shopping is a way of bringing fun and refreshes the mind as well.
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Q25) Share your Online/Offline shopping experience.
BELOW 35:
Respondents of this age group have shared their Online Shopping Experience:
Purchasing online reaches satisfaction level.
Majority of consumers has never received any damaged product.
Some consumers had received wrong product. In this case, the product was easily returned.
On-Time delivery and sometimes delivery before time.
Provides good quality products.
In the Nutshell, Overall Online Shopping experience of buyers is good up to the mark.
ABOVE 35:
Offline Shopping experience had been shared by the respondents of this age group:
Buying from markets or stores or shops never fails to reach at satisfaction level
The elder ones experienced freshness by going out.
Purchasing offline is enjoyable and fun.
Visiting different stores or markets leads to interaction with various people makes consumers
to feel good.
Conclusion
Interpretation is an explanation of a person's view regarding anything. The study of comparing both the
shopping mediums is at its last where the facts, perceptions of consumers and factors affecting their
purchasing behaviour are revealing regarding Online and Offline Shopping. Offline shopping is a traditional
way of shopping. Shopping over the internet is a modern way of shopping which helps a buyer in browsing
the items being at one place. Online medium has introduced new criteria of shopping and changes the
purchasing behaviour of the buyers. The study has revealed that maximum time consumes by youngsters in
context to internet usage.
It has been found that majority of buyers are more likely to purchase Online in recent times. Online buyers
perception regarding this medium is that it is time and energy saving. Shopping over internet provides the
facility of various international brands reach at a time and availability of everything on a single platform.
Because of heavy discounts and offers, Online shopping has become the most preferable medium. Without
dealing with Crowd and unfavourable climatic condition, customers can purchase and get delivery at home.
Factors that are affecting the graph of Offline shopping according to Online shoppers are such as, Shopping
from markets are stores are more expensive as it do not provide much offers and also there is availability of
less variety. It is highly energy and time consuming. It may become chaotic as dealing with traffic might
pop-up while heading for footfall shopping.
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Being aware of the facts that Offline medium is more authentic and credible and examination of the product
before payment is necessary, Online consumers are still purchasing online and prefers this medium over
Offline.
The consumers who prefers Offline medium over Online are found to be the middle-aged people. Vast
majority of elder buyers follow the traditional way of shopping. According to these buyers, the most
important factors while shopping is to examine the product before final payment, credibility and
authentication which only Offline medium provides but not Online. It is the best way to check the quality
without any doubt. Shopping from stores or markets makes the interaction between a buyer and a vendor
which helps a customer to ask for their opinion regarding the product before purchasing. The study has
found that elder buyers are in the habit of bargaining and comparing prices by visiting various stores which
is only possible while shopping physically. After the exhaustion of whole day, it is good to go out for
shopping as it refreshes the mind.
Elder buyers have their own perception regarding Online purchase. The study has revealed that vast majority
of buyers are not familiar with online purchase and have never done. According to elder people, Online
shopping is less authentic and there are more chance of bad quality. Therefore, lots of trust issues come
across. examination of product by touching would not be possible in case of Online purchasing which is
mandatory before payment. Elder buyers like to buy instantly in spite of waiting for delivery of the product
for days. Therefore, Online shopping is highly time consuming for them.
Younger buyers are doing online shopping years before as compared to elder buyers. Youngsters stated that
Online shopping will take command over Offline whereas, the middle-aged people have the opposite point
of view. It has been also found that Offline shopping will not disappear in the future although the graph of
E-commerce is highly increasing. Offline buyers consider Cash On Delivery (COD) mandatory in online
shopping and agrees that Online shopping meets International fashion trends but still they prefers to shop
from markets or stores.
Buyers have their own opinions regarding Offline and Online Shopping and they indulge in their preferable
medium according to their perception. In the Nutshell, the study has revealed that Online shopping is more
undertaken as compared to Offline medium now-a-days by comparing the views of respondents from both
the age groups of above and below 35. Both the mediums have their own positive and negative aspects
which gets ignored by the customers due to their choice.
Major Findings:
It has been observed that Online shopping has becoming an addiction in recent times. 85% of
respondents agree with this.
70% respondents of below the age group of 35 are buying up to 4 items on an average each month.
Amazon and Flipkart are the top preferable shopping websites not only by 50% of younger
respondents but also by 30% of middle-aged ones.
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55% of online buyers shopping behaviour get triggered by Discount Ads, Sale Ads and Festival Ads.
In spite of younger respondents, 40% of offline shoppers also agree that online shopping is a
platform that saves time and energy.
30% of Online shopping seekers disagree with the statement 'Online Shopping will take command
over Offline shopping'. On the other hand, 10 % of Offline shopping seekers somewhere believes
that it may be happen.
95% of Online and Offline Buyers totally disagree that Offline Shopping will disappear in the future.
70% of the total respondents believes that Online shopping is a platform where consumer reach the
latest International fashion trends is the main factor behind the growth of E-Commerce.
It has been observed that there are 60 % of online buyers who gets irritated due to unnecessarily
poking by shopping websites are still continuously purchasing online.
65% of respondents views are that Cash On Delivery (COD) is necessary because the unavailability
of COD restricts the online shopping behaviour of a customer.
100% of the respondents of both the age groups agrees that Younger generation is highly attracted
towards Online shopping than the elder ones.
95% of the total respondents are in favour of the statement that Lack of knowledge encourage Offline
shopping.
90% of the total buyers admitted that Bad experience in online shopping and lack of trust persuade
consumers to offline purchase.
Respondents below the age group of 35 who are online shoppers, 70% of them also believe that
Offline Shopping is more authentic and credible than Online but even still they shop online.
70% of younger respondents feels that Examination and trial of a product before purchasing is
necessary before payment although they do not purchase offline.
60% of the respondents who does not purchase from markets or stores said that offline shopping
refreshes the mind.
The study has found that in contemporary era, Online shopping is more preferable medium as compared to
Offline shopping. It has been observed that the middle aged respondents are also preferring online shopping.
45% of younger generation and 10 percent of elder ones preferring online shopping over offline. In totality,
55% of total are purchasing online now-a-days. Younger respondents stated that Online shopping provides
you the facility to order and get delivery at home. It is easy to get anything on a single platform instead of
going to different places. To avoid crowd and harsh climatic condition, Online shopping is the best medium
to shop. Respondents said that it is the best channel to reach various brands at a time and purchasing online
is less time consuming as compared to offline. Middle aged respondents who also prefers online shopping
revealed that purchasing from markets are time and energy consuming and online shopping provide you 24
hours access. Online shopping makes easier the way of shopping, especially for the ones who have busy and
hectic schedules. But also sometimes a buyer feel pressurized during purchasing offline. Ultimately, the first
hypothesis proved.
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For testing of second hypothesis, relevant questions were asked in the questionnaire to analyze the buying
behaviour of consumers. Number of respondents whose preferable medium is online revealed that Heavy
Discount and Offers triggers the purchasing behaviour towards Online shopping. Online shoppers believe
that shopping over the internet through websites is the only and best medium to get large varieties on a
single platform. They have mentioned that Online shopping successfully reach various brands and varieties
at a time with huge discounts and offers. Therefore, the second hypothesis is said to be true.
As youngsters are early adopters and experiment lovers, the third hypothesis has been undertaken. This
hypothesis helped to take the research on track and to justify the title of study. The respondents below the
age group of 35 are more likely to use internet more than 4 hours each day. 90% of the young respondents
prefer Online shopping over Offline. There are 70% of youngsters who are purchasing since 4 years. On an
average per month, up to 4 items are meant to be purchased by online shoppers. Vast majority of young
respondents goes for online shopping because of heavy discounts, offers and they believe that purchasing
online is time and energy saving. They stated that online purchase is less expensive and it is a platform to
meet various brands at a time. Buyer’s opinion is that Online shopping is easy to access. Hence, the third
hypothesis is even said to be proved
The study has concluded that both Online and Offline Shopping have their influence on buyers differently. It
has been observed that Lack of Internet Knowledge persuade offline shopping. The majority of respondents
above the age group of 35 are more likely to go for traditional way of shopping. According to them, it is
mandatory to examine the product before payment. Shopping from markets or stores is the way of
interaction with other people and refreshes the mind of a buyer. It is good to get the opinion of vendors about
the product before purchasing. Bargaining is also an important factor that influence customer to purchase
offline. Large Number of elder buyers are in the habit of bargaining which is not possible in case of Online
Shopping. Elder consumers also admitted that comparing prizes from various shops makes the better
purchase and saves the money. They believe that purchasing offline always reach the satisfaction level as a
buyer purchase an item by touching and checking it properly before the final payment. Being not familiar
with online shopping, the elder consumers purchase offline. As online shopping do not provide the facility to
examine the product, it rises the trust issues among the middle aged customers. Older people prefers to buy
instant by visiting any store instead of keep on waiting for the product to be delivered. In case of Below 35
age group respondents, Online shopping is increasingly fastidious. Young respondents revealed that online
shopping is the only medium to reach various international brand at a time on a single platform with huge
varieties. Heavy discounts which online websites offers cannot be provided by offline stores. Purchasing
over internet is the best way for shopping especially for those who do not get time to go markets as Online
shopping is time and energy saving and is the only medium by which a buyer can purchase without dealing
with crowd and unfavourable climatic conditions. In context to Offline shopping, Younger respondents
believes that purchasing from markets is time and energy consuming and there is availability of less variety.
It has been also mentioned that sometimes it is difficult to deal with vendors in some situation. Therefore,
Online medium is preferable by them.
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In the Nutshell, Both Offline and Online shopping have their own pros and cons. It depends upon the
perception of a buyer what medium they choose and go for. Both Online and Offline shopping have their
influence on customers in their own way. But the study has been concluded that Online medium prefers by
the majority of respondents. The study is carried out in less time with limited approach and it can be further
generalized at vast extent to compare both the mediums extensively.
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