Industries That Have Taken The Online World By Storm
It’s not long ago that the thought of an almost completely digital world was considered pie in the sky. Sure, we’d always have our online games and social media, but would we be able to do everything online?
Well, it seems that practically anything we can do in real life can now do online. Just look at how these seemingly traditional bricks-and-mortar industries currently dominate the digital space. Need eggs and milk or fancy a game of poker? No problem, these providers have you covered.
Retail
Let’s start with the most obvious choice – shopping. Anyone with a credit or debit card and an internet connection likely bought something online. Whether it’s a book, a computer, or a pair of shoes, we’ve all hit that ‘add to cart button at some point in our lives.
Yes, the retail industry has always been on point since we first realized the power of the internet. However, what’s impressive about this industry is how supermarkets and fresh food providers have jumped on the digital bandwagon.
A huge number of major supermarket chains now offer online purchasing and home delivery options for their grocery departments. The online grocery business was worth a staggering $632 billion in 2018 and is expected to grow exponentially over the coming years.
This move by retailers into online grocery shopping has particularly benefited older generations who may not be as mobile as they once were. It’s also a great benefit to those with physical disabilities who require assistance to get around supermarkets. And by all accounts, it’s only going to get better.
Casinos
It’s no secret that the online poker and casino industry is a vast market. Look at the TV any night of the week, and you’ll see scores of commercials for online casino games such as blackjack, slots, and roulette. But it’s the game of poker that has taken advantage of the digital era.
So why exactly have online poker heavyweights enjoyed so much success in recent years? Well, for one thing, it’s hugely convenient. Where once players had to plan a night out at the casino to enjoy a game of poker, they can now play from the comfort of their own home.
Better yet, with most providers now offering mobile apps, they can play free poker no matter where they are. Another benefit is the global reach of the game. With online poker now available in a great many regions across the globe, there’s no shortage of tables to play at any time of the day or night. And that means no more waiting in the casino for a seat at a poker table to become available.
Providers are also using their online casinos to promote their live casino events through qualifying satellites held online. Some platforms have even gone a step further to offer free poker tournaments. These free tournaments offer newer players an excellent opportunity to play meaningful games in a risk-free environment.
Entertainment
Let’s be honest about this. What do you go online for unless you need the internet for work? Maybe it’s to find the answers to some unusual quiz questions, or perhaps it’s to find a spare part for your model plane. But for the majority of us average folks, we go online to be entertained. And for the most part, that means watching movies.
This is slightly different from the casino industry, where real-world businesses offer online variations of their most popular games, such as poker. However, in the movie business, we had a new kid on the block that shook up the industry and encouraged the movie-going public to stay at home. Yes, we’re talking about Netflix. The business disrupted the industry so much that even major hotel chains such as the Marriott offered the service in their guest rooms.
Netflix started the movie streaming industry, and major studios and producers have been playing catch up. Disney’s streaming service may be available now, but it could be a case of too little too late, such as Netflix’s stranglehold on the market. The streaming service is well-known for producing popular shows such as Stranger Things, but its foray into movie production has shaken the cinema industry to its core.
With the audience’s proving that they’re pretty happy to have their cinematic experiences in the comfort of their own homes, the move to streaming premieres as opposed to opening weekends at the box office isn’t all that far-fetched.
Fitness
We’re not for a moment suggesting that you can sit on your sofa and get fit by using an app on your smartphone! There’s no doubt that the fitness industry has absolutely nailed it when using the digital space.
From online spinning classes to digital coaching and monitoring, the fitness industry has taken advantage of the digital era in many ways. Take fitness trackers, for example. While they don’t necessarily need to go online, it’s still possible to share your progress with your online peers giving you that extra little bit of motivation required.
Then there are all of those online classes to attend. From yoga to the spinning classes we mentioned earlier, coaches and instructors know that to make the most of their skills truly, they now need to have an online offering. And lots of people are lapping it up. There is no need to pay exorbitant gym memberships when you can attend an online class, with the added benefit that no one will see you in your gym shorts!
As you can see, while there are some fears that the digital era may signal the end of specific industries, these once traditional niches have proven that where there’s a will, there’s a way. Who knows, in years to come, we might even be able to get married, attend the doctor, or buy a house without setting foot outdoors.
