Apparently today is the day when we spend more money on-line than any other day. With Christmas fast approaching we are collectively forking out a staggering £10,000 a second.
But I am not a lover of on-line shopping. People say it is convenient but I disagree.
For example, if you order your groceries on-line, you cannot be sure exactly when they will be delivered; therefore you have the inconvenience of waiting in for the van to arrive.
Then, bizarrely, somebody else is hand-picking your fruit and veg! Surely one of the pleasures of shopping is to exercise a bit of choice over what you consume?
Then, if a particular product brand is not in stock, they will select an alternative for you -
but you may have good reasons for wanting your first choice and no other; such as allergic reactions to ingredients or even environmental / green issues.
So, for the pleasure of being inconvenienced you pay a further £5 delivery charge when you can save this money and get exactly what you want yourself by popping down to the shops. You may even meet people you know and have a friendly chat.
Whilst I can understand the elderly and infirm finding on-line deliveries useful, I think
people are becoming ever more isolated by the virtual internet experience. Humans are generally gregarious and like to meet. Charming shopping centres such as at St.Albans and Hitchin are invariably busy and have vibrant market days. Hatfield’s Town Team
should take a good look at these places and cherry pick some ideas for our neglected town centre.
By Dean Archer