Amazon and eBay along with few other ecommerce sites started changing the face of retailing and today with thousands of stores in the virtual world, the very concept of retailing has undergone a complete transformation. The traditional retail stores or brick and mortar outlets are still relevant but their importance or role has been diminished to negligibility. Some of the giant traditional retail companies have also switched to online orders, just to hold onto their market share.

Here is a glimpse of how online orders are changing and have changed the face of retailing.

The first major advantage of online orders is convenience. Anyone can shop for anything from anywhere at any point in time. A Portuguese consumer can buy a product from an American company and get it delivered right at his or her doorstep. The reliability and affordability of courier to Portugal, the ease of making online purchases and the choices of international courier services have facilitated the revolution but it is still the convenience that matters most when it comes to online orders.

The second major change that online orders have brought about in retailing is choice. Unless you are in New York or London, Paris or Porto, you are unlikely to get every major brand and countless smaller brands in any given niche at one place. You will be restricted by the choices you have. Online orders do not impose any such restriction. Unless a certain product cannot be shipped to where one lives or the service is unavailable, a customer can buy from any brand of his or her liking. All major and innumerable smaller brands have an online presence. There is no restriction to what you wish to buy and from whom. With more choice comes more freedom and that is always treasured.

Comparison tools available on ecommerce sites have also changed the face of retailing. Traditionally, shoppers have believed what the shopkeepers or salespeople said and at best they could compare a few products at one store. It was very difficult to pit one product of one store against another in a different store unless someone went around with a pen and paper. The process is tedious and impossible to carry out every time you have to buy something. With online comparison tools, you can always choose the best product. Also, one can choose the best services as well. So choosing the best courier to Portugal or the international courier based on its price and services has become simpler.