Information on Home Shopping
Home shopping is a method by which consumers can see, select and purchase needed or desired items from the comfort of their own home. There are a variety of forms of home shopping for products from groceries to to clothing to hardware supplies.
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History
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Home shopping began in the 1890s when Sears, Roebuck & Company introduced the Sears catalog to rural customers, offering them products that were available only in larger cities. Catalog shopping continued as the main method of home shopping until the Internet became popular.
Function
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Shopping from home provides a convenience. With the advent of Internet shopping, some people even shop from work, saving their time at home for other tasks.
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Types
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Home shopping television shows often have product demonstrations. Catalog shopping still remains as one home-shopping method. Home shoppers can make catalog purchases by mail, on the computer or over the phone. Phone shopping is sometimes done in response to direct marketing on television.
Benefits
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Making purchases from home provides some independence to those who are home-bound and cannot get to stores. Home shopping can be done at any hour of the day or night, making shopping easier for those who work odd or long hours.
Famous Ties
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Celebrities often sell or endorse products on home shopping television shows. Suzanne Somers, famous for her role as Chrissy in "Three's Company," became one of the first celebrities to appear on a home shopping television show in the 1980s to promote exercise equipment.
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References
Resources
- Photo Credit cart with shopping bag image by Cora Reed from Fotolia.com product image by Leticia Wilson from Fotolia.com
