"The Future of Retail" Questions

1. Does Negroponte explicitly state his thesis? If so, identify it. If not, write your own thesis statement for his essay.
He doesn't explicitly state his thesis. He should say that retail is moving out of physical stores and onto the internet.

2. How does this reading relate to Norman's concepts of user-focused design?
Negroponte argues for Norman's idea that designs need to be user-focused. "Another kind of retail, however, is truly about to end - the type where you can't park, the checkout lines are interminable, the staff is disagreeable, and the product has always run out." There are a multitude of other places where consumers can shop, they don't need to be burdened with annoying stores. In some cases, consumers go out of their way to buy something at a local store. Store owners need to be aware of this and accommodate the shoppers more.


3. Negroponte published this in 1998; to what extent do his ideas remain relevant today?
It is even easier for people to purchase things online today than it was twelve years ago. The items that people buy are not quite the same ones that he talks about. People do buy books and clothing online but I have never heard of anyone in the Metro Detroit area buying groceries online. If mailboxes were going to change to large refrigerated boxes any time soon, you think we would have moved in this direction a bit already. I read that part of the article to a group of people and they all laughed, it seems absurd.


4. What predictions would you make about the Future of Retail?
I think retail will continue to exist in physical stores, for the most part. Book stores will probably cease to exist, especially with the introduction of so many e-readers. Malls and especially clothing and home goods store will continue to exist. Shopping is entertainment. People will continue to go shopping in stores as long as people continue to be bored. Lots of clothing shopping is done last minute when even one day shipping does not afford enough time. Clothing is also better when the consumer can try it on before purchasing it. Things like couches and chairs are also better when people can "try them on." I can't imagine buying a couch without sitting on it first. In regards to buying groceries online, I don't think it is practical. My family often buys food so we can go home right away and cook it. We don't always plan ahead far enough to tell a company when to send us certain food. We often walk into the grocery store not know what we will buy. I also can't imagine trusting a company to pick out fresh fruits and veggies for me. They want to sell all of their inventory so they might not give me the freshest produce. Overall, I think stores will continue to exist for a very long time.