STORES Magazine is out with its latest version of the Favorite 50. It’s a list of the online retailers that consumers like most, based on data compiled by BIGresearch. The results are derived from two write-in questions: “What website do you shop most often for apparel items?” and “What website do you shop most often for non-apparel items?” The top five were Amazon.com, Walmart.com, eBay.com, BestBuy.com and JCPenney.com.
The top five are unquestionably online rock stars, but I dare say that if I had to pick the websites I shopped most often, I’d probably still be trying to figure out my favorites. Yeah…there are that many.
It’s unfathomable to me how I shopped before the Internet. How could I have been satisfied with the 100-plus stores at Roosevelt Field Mall, my personal shopping Mecca? Now there are thousands upon thousands of places to shop mere keystrokes away. One day, I’m checking out the newest fall handbags at Cole Haan, the next I’m ordering laundry detergent and paper towels from Soap.com. And for some reason, I’m having a hard time resisting anti-wrinkle creams at Sephora these days.
Clearly I don’t have a favorite – I have lots of favorites. How did I get by without Rue La La a few years ago? Whoever the person was who thought to combine the various Gap brands into one website is my personal superhero, and Zappos has saved the day on numerous occasions with speedy delivery of must-have shoes.
Stonewall Kitchen rescued me from embarrassment during the last holiday season (thanks guys). Under Armour’s website gave me the chance to make wishes come true for a son who wanted a stack of cold-weather gear, and Musician’s Friend always seems to come through in a pinch when this non-musically savvy mom is staring at a wish list of items I couldn’t begin to wade through in a store setting.
So there you have it. I’ve got lots of online favorites and clearly have no chance of picking just one No. 1. Let’s just say that online retailing is one of my favorite shopping channels. That works!