Products are not always cheaper online

E-COMMERCE Shopping online is particularly worthwhile for expensive products. Televisions and cameras are cheaper online when they fall into the mid-range and higher price segments. This is shown by a study by Marcel Dobler, co-founder of Digitec AG. "Are online stores cheaper than retail stores?" - is the title of Marcel Dobler's thesis for the Kalaidos University of Applied Sciences Switzerland. The necessary data was compiled and analyzed in collaboration with the largest Swiss market research institute, GfK Switzerland AG, and the trend in sales figures shows a shift in the distribution of products to online channels. This is taking place at the expense of the retail trade. The number of products offered only in the retail trade is constantly decreasing. Dobler's bachelor thesis also shows that retailers and manufacturers for whom e-commerce sales are not yet so well developed must also expect further consolidation of the markets.Lower price segment: not cheaper onlineThere are roughly the same number of notebook models in all price ranges that are cheaper both online and offline. The more expensive the TV, the greater the price advantage via the online channel. In the price segment from CHF 2000, you can quickly save 10%. For very inexpensive cameras up to CHF 300, the offer in the retail trade is more favorable. From CHF 500 upwards, there are significantly more products that are cheaper online. From CHF 700, there are only a few products that are cheaper in the retail trade, and from CHF 1000 they are the exception. The development of sales prices for televisions, cameras and notebooks shows a sharp drop in prices. The average retail value of televisions has halved. This development is causing retailers and manufacturers to lose sales and margins and is intensifying the competitive situation, while further studies have shown that the majority of private customers expect prices to be cheaper on the Internet. Marcel Dobler's bachelor thesis proves that this is not the case everywhere. However, the trend is clearly towards ever cheaper internet offers.