Titled ‘The Long Tale’ by Chris Anderson, this piece highlights the niche market that consumers are currently finding themselves being embroiled in today – thus the title reflects the road where on at the moment – the long tale. As consumers, we are in the middle of the so called firing line. On one side we have the internet which provides us with an array options and ideas. However on the other side we have large chain stores who have limited stock that is designed to fill a specific quota. there a both positive and negatives to both of the arguments. Predominately, the debate circles around the words Quality vs. Quantity. The internet provides us with an abundant supply of goods and services yet the quality is questionable. Retail chains however are designed to provide consumers with quality that can be touched, tried on and even seen with our own eyes – the problem is that there is less supply or a futile number of options available.
Anderson used Amazon and eBay as examples of sites that have driven retailing to a whole new era via the internet revolution. Needless to say, online shopping has become a new infatuation for consumers that is ultimately driving retail shopping to the brink of collapse. Demand is falling whilst stock is being left to rot thus causing businesses to foreclose. Books are a primary example of how online shopping can destroy bookstores leading to major companies declaring bankruptcy as the demand for online shopping went through the roof, book stores ultimately became a thing of the past.
Moreover, Anderson’s second point is also intriguing. As consumers get online goods on the cheap, their demand increases thus their want to to drive the price down even further – a trait that could potentially ruin online shopping. just like all organisations, their primary aim is to make a profit. In essence, it is a balancing act that producers must comply too, to ensure that consumers are happy whilst their bank accounts remain healthy. WE must understand that if you want something their probably not going to give it to you for free..
