口语能力标准
83. E-commerce
2013-09-06
Americans are buying more products and services than ever before through the Internet. Online sales now represent as much as one-tenth of all retail sales in the United States.
Lynne Shaner used the Internet to buy everything she needed for her wedding and holiday gifts.
"I find that, by being able to go online and choose the things that I need to choose, and have them delivered to me right at my doorstep, I eliminate all the driving, all the crowds, all the noise of that, and I usually get a better selection."
There are lots of people like her. Fifty-seven percent of Americans have bought something electronically.
Store owners worry that this growing amount of online sales will hurt their business. Cornell University marketing professor Ed McLaughlin says they should be worried. He spoke to VOA by Skype.
Professor McLaughlin says traditional stores can keep their customers by selling goods like clothing, which buyers may want to see and try on before purchasing. He says the stores could also offer things that are difficult to ship.
