(Newswire.net — August 25, 2017) — So often, we talk about how technology helps certain industries grow, change, and even become less reliant on human labor. While it may seem less common, some industries actually help shape technology, let’s take a look at a few.
The Retail Industry
Technically, the retail industry is made up of about 13 major types of retailing businesses from motor vehicles to furniture stores. Today, depending on which expert you talk to, anywhere from 79 to 96 percent of Americans shop online.
Even though it may actually be easier to go to a brick and mortar store, many consumers have convinced themselves that shopping online is the easiest (and only) way to shop.
While this has been a challenge for many brick and mortar establishments, according to a recent article in U.S. News & World Report, nearly 70 percent of consumers still like the idea of shopping in a brick and mortar store and do so when they get the chance.
So, how has the retail industry shaped technology? Look at all of your buying options when you shop online. From quaint little shops to big box stores, you can literally buy almost anything online. While it may not seem like technology has changed much, think back to how different online shopping was even 5 to 10 years ago.
The Gig Economy
While technically not an industry, the gig economy (which consists mainly of freelance work and self-employment) includes many industries. The gig economy may include work in hospitality, entertainment, transportation, and various other services.
Before the gig economy, you either worked for a company, or you worked for yourself, you rarely had the opportunity to do both, have flexibility, and have full control of your employment opportunities. The gig economy has helped shape technology by making the Internet more of a “self-serve” kind of place.
With the simple use of an app, consumers can order a service and gig workers can take jobs (rarely without the need for a middleman).
Entertainment Industry
Like most industries, the entertainment industry is a broad definition, and there are many things that fall under the category of “entertainment.” Think about some of the things you do for fun. Stream music or movies? You probably do most of that online. Remember when streaming wasn’t even a thing?
If you’re into online gambling, do you remember when all it consisted of was Solitaire and few casino games? There’s no way that you could have found a blackjack strategy chart or even live betting.
Interest in online casinos has skyrocketed in the last 10 to 15 years, and due to the popularity, technology has changed to make it feel like you’re in a brick and mortar casino.
How about watching your favorite band play a concert live a continent away? You get to do that from the comfort of your home because of technology. While many people may argue that technology helped shape the entertainment industry, the industry itself pushed technology to do bigger and better things.