eBay Plans to Bring Online Retail Back to the Streets

E-Retail Set to Take Over New York Street Windows

As if the explosion in online retail over the past few years isn't enough, eBay has decided they want to expand to virtual, "shoppable windows" in cities like New York. Nine-by-two foot screens will line visible shopping district streets in areas such as SoHo and the lower east side in Manhattan. Window shoppers will have a field day. But what does it mean for eBay shoppers?

With the new and improved style of shopping, virtual window shopping will fuel people's obsession with shopping online. Online retail lets people shop in the comfort of their homes, choosing from 1000s of products in every category. eBay especially, appeals to shoppers who love a good bargain. Now, eBayers have the opportunity to have some fun with their bidding and excessive money spending. But how does eBay's new "shoppable window" idea affect retail stores in cities? eBay claims, "the retail market is evolving and technology is driving the future of shopping". They urge loyal users to try their interactive stores at locations close by for deals  with designers like Kate Spade and other hot products. However, the new rise in interactive stores gives shoppers a glimpse of retail's future. In 10 years, who is to say that clothing stores will even be around still. The development of new technology in the storefront leaves little work for the real retailers and abolishes the authenticity of retail stores. 

As a firm believer in shopping at stores, being able to window shop and try things on, I will gladly wait for this "revolutionary shopping" experience to hit the streets. Excessive shipping costs, poor sizing descriptions, and even less accurate pictures of online products, are enough of a bother. A virtual store without store assistance or actual products will have to wait. We're becoming lazier and lazier but not that lazy.