The association between spatial attributes and e-shopping in the shopping process for search goods and experience goods: Evidence from Nanjing

The proliferation of e-shopping has implications for shopping travel and commercial land use. Using data collected from adult internet users in Nanjing, China in 2015, this study develops trivariate probit models to explore the influence of spatial attributes on shopping channel choices at the pre-purchase and purchase stages in the shopping process for both search goods (books) and experience goods (clothing). We find that those who live and work in suburban areas are more likely than others to shop at traditional stores to conduct pre-purchase and purchase activities for books and clothing, likely because of the slow diffusion of e-shopping in these areas. On the other hand, travel time to stores is positively associated with online shopping for books but not for clothing, and onerous travel modes are associated with pre-purchase activities on the internet. Thus, shopping accessibility negatively affects e-shopping. However, its effects vary by shopping stage and product type.