The Future of Retail

1. Negroponte does not explicitly state his thesis.

Retail shopping is slowly decreasing in popularity due to the connivence and speed of online shopping, however, retail shopping will not disappear because of the invaluable experience shopping brings and the obstacles that online shopping may present.

2. Retail shopping is an individual experience. Therefore, most retail shopping in store, or online, is user-focused much like Norman's concepts of user-focused design. This article is user-focused in the same regards as Norman, in some respects. One example of user-focused design is natural mapping. Online shopping can easily incorporate natural mapping into website design. Natural mapping is user-focused because it can make the website easier to use. I think Negroponte wants to convey that even though shopping at a store is an experience in itself, there are too many obstacles against it which contribute to the convenience of online shopping. This addresses Norman's user-focused design because the shopping experience is oriented towards the customer, meaning the atmosphere, while online shopping offers  customers a hassle-free experience.

3. Negroponte ideas are very relevant today, since online shopping has mushroomed. For nearly every retail store, it is possible to purchase the same items online. Many customers resort to online shopping to avoid waiting in lines and because of the convenience and speed. Online accounts can save personal billing and shipping information, so all that a customer must do is click a button. Although, online shopping has not completely taken over retail shopping. Instead, there is the option to partake in both.

4. The future of retail is in the hands of the consumers. I predict that the Future of Retail will continue the way it is currently functioning. Retail stores will probably diminish a little bit because not enough consumers are buying from shops. The cost of employing workers outweighs the benefit of customers shopping in store. Instead, customers will shop online buying the products directly from manufactures. I think this will happen to some stores. It depends largely on what the retail store sells. Customers will continue to shop at retail stores, because they need to observe more than the appearance. For example, I do not shop for clothing online. If I buy clothing, I always visit the store to feel the items and to try them on. Additionally, both types of shopping cannot exist without the other, since each offer different shopping experiences.