Online vs. in-store shopping: which is better?
Medium
The Evolution of Black Friday Shopping and Its Shift from In-Person to Online: Efficiency vs. Experience
NOVEMBER 26, 2025
Over a decade ago, malls were the center of post-Thanksgiving excitement. Black Friday meant packed parking lots, long checkout lines, and groups of friends debating which sweater to buy. Even late into the evening, stores remained open until 10:00 PM with crowds still weaving through aisles in search of the best deals.
Now, however, many of these spaces grow quiet long before sunset, often deserted by 8:00 PM.
Senior Salil Jena said, “This Black Friday, I don’t plan to go in person to any stores. I’m only shopping online.”
For many students, online shopping has become a more efficient option. It eliminates travel time, parking frustration, and endless lines. With the ability to search for products and purchase them within a few clicks, online shopping offers convenience that physical stores cannot always compete with. If you wanted to purchase an item at 2:56 AM, you could!
Nonetheless, not everyone agrees that this digital shift is an improvement.
Senior Jinu Chun said, “In-person shopping is more reliable than online shopping because you can try on clothes and physically see items before deciding to purchase them. It is also smarter to spend money in person than spend money online because it is easy to lose track of your spending and spend money irrationally when placing online orders.”
While convenience persuades many toward online retailers, others feel that something meaningful has been lost, particularly in the excitement and tradition that once defined Black Friday for younger shoppers.
Senior Keya Sheth recalled the anticipation that came with visiting her favorite childhood stores. “In my childhood, I would be excited to go to stores like Justice and Toys R Us. Black Friday in person is a huge part of my childhood, and I feel that kids these days lack the magic of the season because of the development of online shopping.”
Senior Rishita Ahad also reflected on the memories she formed during Black Friday outings with her family. “It was annoying at the time, but now I miss it. It was so nostalgic! There was decoration everywhere, music, but more importantly, there were people. When you shop online, your experience isn’t as intimate.”
As online shopping continues to rise, students at EBHS remain split between digital convenience and the nostalgia of in-person traditions. The question remains: has efficiency come at the cost of the Black Friday experience?
