Opinions Editor Jonathan Saucedo is a three-year member of the Wildcat Chronicle who frequently writes opinion pieces. The views expressed in this piece are his own.

December has finally arrived, capturing the interest of many Americans as they begin to decide on gifts for their loved ones, family, and friends. After careful consideration, the next step for many is to go to the store where the desired gifts are available. However, they often find themselves faced with crowds of people also searching for gifts, with some even competing for the same items. Meanwhile, those who opted for online shopping can comfortably stay at home and wait for their gifts to arrive, avoiding the chaos of in-store shopping entirely.

It is a commonly known fact in the United States that holiday shopping is always busy, regardless of the circumstances. During the period from November to December, holiday sales typically reach between $979.5 billion and $989 billion. This busy shopping season also brings many customers into physical stores to purchase their desired items.

Interestingly, 47% of customers actually prefer shopping in-store during the holidays, whether early or late. Although this percentage may seem small compared to the 53% who prefer online shopping, it still represents almost half of all customers who shop in person. However, having nearly half of the customers in the store simultaneously can hinder one’s ability to find desired items, especially when pre-orders prevent in-store shoppers from purchasing certain products.

Why is online shopping superior to in-store shopping? It’s quite simple: online shopping allows you to buy whatever you want without the extra effort of physically going to the store, finding the item, picking it up, and making a purchase. Who would prefer to go out and retrieve an item when they can have it delivered right to their doorstep or even left for them? Additionally, online shopping gives customers more time to choose their items and order them in advance. This ensures that they’re satisfied with their purchase without any last-minute hassles, which ultimately benefits them in the long run.

As a former retail employee, I can confidently say that online shopping is far better for customers. During the holiday season, witnessing large crowds coming into the store can be quite overwhelming for employees. It’s eye-opening to see how many items people buy when they’re out shopping. Online purchasing can save time and effort, allowing customers to avoid the chaos of shopping alongside hundreds of other people, which can be quite a nuisance based on past experiences.

If you’re currently a shopper who prefers to visit stores during the holidays, consider switching to online shopping. It can be much easier, especially for those who don’t particularly enjoy shopping. You won’t have to deal with driving in cold weather anymore; with just the click of a button, you can complete your holiday shopping though it may impact your bank account.