Mele’s Musings

The Online Social ‘Shop Till You Drop’ Party

Is shopping really social?  I don’t think so – sometimes I think it’s private.  It’s just that I like to know the opinions of others before I buy.

Picture: Flickr

Article excerpt:  The latest places for fashion trendsetters to be seen are the online social shopping malls — that is, any of a number of social networking sites designed to foster interactivity among friends and admiring imitators as they look for ways to unload some cash. It’s no fun shopping alone. That’s the theory behind social shopping, a trend that combines social networking with e-commerce . It’s a trend that’s coming into its own as increasing numbers of online shoppers turn to the sites for fun, companionship, and camaraderie with other shoppers. “Shopping is a very social, interactive experience,” Manish Chandra, the CEO and cofounder of social shopping site Kaboodle, told the E-Commerce Times. “Shopping is not just a transactional experience.” Social shopping sites attempt to create an online experience that replicates, to a degree, going to the mall with a group of friends. In the stereotypical mall experience, friends point out products to each other, comment on them, and share stories — all the while bonding as much as they’re actually shopping. Online social shopping sites aim to give shoppers a similarly interactive, personal and communal experience.
The rest: ecommercetimes.com

Musing:   Maybe it’s just a guy thing, but I don’t really care to go shopping with my buddies, my wife, or my kids.  I like to shop by myself.  What I do like, however, is to get as much information as I can before I buy, and I think that aspect is very important about social shopping.  I am not denying that some people like to shop with others, but saying in a blanket way that “shopping is social” is not really true – at least not for everyone.  In fact, most of the “tools” that these social shopping sites are creating are not about “shopping with” someone, but rather sharing what you have already bought.  In the end, I think that what people want when it comes to shopping is 1) not to get laughed at by your friends and family for buying something crappy, and 2) showing off things that you are proud to have purchased (have I mentioned that I have the new iPhone?!?).