Why I’m Ready to Start Shopping for Clothes Online

Items I have bought online:

• airline tickets
• event tickets
• books
• movies
• music
• computer

Items I haven’t bought online:

• clothes
  
• jewelry
  
• shoes

When I need to shop for clothes, I want to try on the garb before I buy it. Unlike buying books or music online, the chances of receiving clothing through the mail that isn’t a good fit are high. The thought of regularly having to return big boxes is also a deterrent.

But in light of the news that Americans now spend more money online for clothing than computers, I may need to reconsider my position.  After all, online retailers such as Zappos.com are making online shopping a snap, including the promise of free shipping and a 365-day no-cost return policy.

But as we start to shop online more often, how will those workers in brick-and-mortar retail jobs be affected?  Will more online purchases by American consumers correspond to fewer offline purchases, leading to fewer job opportunities for sales associates, cashiers, stockroom personnel and in-store managers?

I don’t know about you, but my perception is that we’re buying more everywhere -- online and in the shopping centers. Chain retailers, in particular, are opening new locations all the time. (Reminder to self: Visit that new Best Buy across town this weekend.) Reports on consumer spending indicate that I’m right.

So, retail workers, breathe easy. Your jobs aren’t going anywhere anytime soon, even if more shoppers like this blogger decide -- to steal a somewhat misused expression from my daughter -- to “take a walk on the wild side” and start buying our shoes and jeans through the Web.

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