(Newswire.net — December 2, 2020) — There’s practically no spot on the surface of the earth which hasn’t been affected by the Coronavirus in some sort of way. All around the globe, people have sadly become too familiar with lockdowns and restrictions, and those have had a massive impact on how we buy and sell things. However, not being able to leave home does not mean you must stop purchasing the things that you want or need.
Come to think of it, it’s not the COVID-19 that has sparked the virtual shopping revolution. The shift from people dragging themselves toward the mall to buying whatever they desire with just a couple of clicks, started way before the virus was introduced into our lives – and it was pretty much inevitable in the modern world. The sneaker industry, in that sense, is no different. Today, online shopping for sneakers is as common as ever – and only getting more and more trendy.
Size does matter
If there’s one thing holding people back from buying kicks on the World Wide Web, it’s the fear that the shoes won’t be a perfect fit. Well, there’s a solution to that – you can accurately measure your own foot, so you know which size to get. Most sneaker manufacturers work by the same size standards and even if it’s not a right fit, you can return the shoe and ask for a different size (for no extra cost, of course).
On the other hand, the big advantage of shopping for sneakers online is the price. Online merchants do not need to pay dozens of employees and usually shipping and handling is part of the deal, on the seller’s side. The only disadvantage left is probably the time it takes for the shoes to arrive, but this cost may be worth the benefits that online shopping has to offer.
Ready to buy shoes online? These are your options
Source: https://unsplash.com/photos/axiSdi0IWtc
- Online stores
Many would consider an online store the safest bet for sneaker shopping. Some of these online shops are owned and operated by big companies which also have physical stores spread out, so if anything goes wrong you have an actual address you can turn to with any problem (for example, Nike’s internet store). On the other hand, sometimes the less known and smaller online stores are the ones who offer better pricing – it’s all a question of being able to trust them.
Actually, finding a trustworth online store really isn’t as complicated as it sounds. Today the internet is full of reviews (TrustPilot, Yandex, SiteJabber, you name it) so sellers are cautious about their reputation. One good store we’ve recently stumbled upon is the YankeeKicks online store, offering much more than just shoes, but there are plenty others around worth checking out.
- Social media
Anything (yes, anything) can be found on social media these days, so why should sneakers be an exception? Scan your favorite social media platform, you’ll surely find the groups, pages, people and even hashtags that will lead you in the right direction.
Keep in mind, though, that there is less of a quality and authenticity guarantee when buying from people on social media. Usually the price is lower, but you can’t really tell if it’s a credible source. Thus, this method is more for buyers willing to take a risk for a price reduction or for those who don’t have a problem with buying second hand sneakers, for example.
- Marketplaces
This concept is relatively new, and it pretty much tackles the big disadvantage of buying sneakers on social media. Recently, more and more platforms that bring together buyers and sellers – and give them a bedrock to communicate on – are popping up. These platforms, commonly called ‘marketplaces’, are overlooked and supervised by their creator, giving an extra assurance that everything that goes on there is legitimate (and keeping out the crooks).
Facebook’s marketplace is the first example that comes to mind here, but you’d be surprised at how many smaller, “boutique” marketplaces are out there for sneakerheads. This one called SnkrsDen, set to be launched in the beginning of December but already causing a huge buzz in the scene, is a good example. The main purpose here and in similar platforms is to allow the buyers and the sellers of the kicks to communicate, get to know each other and then close a deal – a win-win situation for both sides.
Source: https://snkrsden.com/