E-Retailing from Past to Future: Definitions, Analysis, Problems, and Perspectives

Background

In this part of study, we have given some definitions and concepts to the readers. We have briefly explained the definition of retailing, Internet retailing (e-retailing), advantages and disadvantages of Internet retailing and the potential of it. By this way, in this part we have aimed to give the necessary background to the unfamiliar readers.

Retailing includes all the activities involved in selling goods or services to the final consumers for personal, non-business use. Selling to the final consumers whether it is by a manufacturer, a wholesaler or a retailer-is retailing irrespective of the fact that the goods or services are sold (by person, mail, telephone, vending machine or Internet or where they are sold – in a store, on the street or in the consumer’s home (Kotler, 2007).

• •

  Internet retailing (also known as e-retailing, e-tailing, online retailing, e-commerce) refers to retailing over the internet (Francis and White, 2004).

• •

  There are lots of different definitions about internet retailing which are made by different researchers. It is a new retail channel which can be used for various activities (Chaffey et al., 2000).

• •

  Internet retail sites are not those which provide free downloads, product reviews etc. They are web sites where in fact visitors purchase products (Pastore, 1999).

• •

  Web retailing includes transactions of products/services by using the internet (Sinha and Gvili, 2001).

• •

  E-Retailing is the sale of products/services over the internet (Kolesar and Galbraith, 2000). Consumers purchase over the internet and this is called as e-tailing.