8. Internet shopping

Many supermarkets are now encouraging customers to visit their web site and purchase from there rather than visiting the shop. Goods are usually delivered by mail for things like CD and DVD's, whilst food is normally delivered by truck at an agreed time slot.

Customers log onto the company web site, browse through the categories of food available and choose the products they require.   They can search for goods, look at product pictures and even add special notes to their order, for example 'the lamb joint must be large enough to feed four people'. 

As each item is selected, it goes into the 'Virtual Trolley' and helpfully, the running total cost of the goods is displayed.

When shopping is complete, the 'trolley' is moved to the 'Pay for Goods' area of the web site which is the equivalent of the cash till.

Once payment has been approved (normally by credit or debit card), the order is transmitted to the order fulfillment warehouse or local store where pickers pack your order ready for delivery in the agreed time slot.

For benefits and disadvantages to the customer and the supermarket take a look at our mini-website about e-commerce.