Per the article “A tsunami of store closings is about to hit the US — and it’s expected to eclipse the retail carnage of 2017” on The Business Insider, more than 12,000 stores are expected to close in 2018. This trend has already affected Sheboygan. Just last year we had our local Hobby Lobby, MC Sports, Gander Mountain, Pick ‘n Save and Book World, closed due to financial problems.

Redwings were asked to complete a survey answering two questions; whether they prefer shopping online or in-store and why. From 49 responses, approximately 79.6% of students stated that they preferred shopping in-store, while 20.4% stated that they preferred shopping online. Those who preferred online shopping had unique, yet insightful ideas. Junior Joanna Morales said that she favors shopping online because

“You can just easily search anything you are looking for. You don’t have to worry about long lines.”

Morales was not the only one who thought this way. Others also seemed to enjoy purchasing items this way, while for other reasons. One student, Sophomore Anai Alarcon said that,

“There aren’t many stores here in Sheboygan, so I go to the next big thing, online.”

Alarcon’s thoughts could very well be one of many reasons why thousands of stores are being forced to close. Areas with higher middle-aged populations, like Sheboygan, often lack malls with stores that are representative of the whole population, such as high school students.

On the contrary, Senior Perla Abu Dehn offered a different perspective by saying that she likes to shop in-store,

“because in my old town it is not common to shop online.”

Dehn’s opinion is unique since she is a native of Lebanon. Although shopping was not common, it certainly peeked through and was provided as an option for purchasing items.

Also in support of in-store shopping, Freshman Chloe Tran offered that

“It’s more fun, you can go to the store with friends and just browse. If you shop online, you don’t have a chance for social interaction.”

Walking around places such as Deer Trace Shopping Center has made a come-back in hangout spots for younger Redwings, specifically those in ninth grade. I mean, what better way to spend an afternoon than walking around with people you enjoy being with, starbucks in hand?

With further technology advances, online shopping has been given the opportunity to flourish. While this type of shopping threatens the existence of shopping centers and malls, it is not yet popular in the South High Community. What is your opinion; online or in-store? Leave a comment down below sharing your opinion!