There weren’t good medical facilities and communications were poor.
Industrial Revolution : approx 1750-1900 AD
Then came what we now call the “industrial revolution”. This rapid increase in use of technology and machinery was established by 1750 AD and is still on-going.
This meant that there were now factories producing goods and many people were no longer farmers. These people who worked at the factories needed to buy their necessities, so corner shops and local shopping areas in town sprung up in the now growing towns. They couldn’t farm as well as work at the factories as they had no time for it. There was also less barter and a more money based economy had started.
All this happened because the towns were growing steadily larger as more industry was concentrated in those areas. Population increased and more and more shops were needed to supply the needs of the people.
The advantages were that there was a large variety of food and services available. The “corner shop” and the local “butcher” and “baker” were now established. Customers would have a very personal and social relationship with the shopkeeper because there were fewer customers per shop (in relationship with today’s large hypermarkets) and more communication between the customer and shopkeeper.
The disadvantages of this type of shopping were that money was most important and so people were getting greedier. Products were getting more and more expensive. There were crowded conditions in the towns and this was unhygienic and unhealthy. There was also a lot of pollution coming from the factories and from concentrated populations. In this period we also see the introduction of child labour in sweat shops. This is the England described in the books of Charles Dickens.
Travel becomes easier : approx 1900-1980 AD
This major change happened from approximately 1900 and travel continued to get easier until about 1980. The car had just been invented and people began escaping the congested cities to live in the areas near the city but beyond the CBD: the “suburb” was born.
Satellite towns had developed around large cities and there were now “high streets”. Supermarkets and then hypermarkets appeared. There was now convenience shopping, and large, out-of-town shopping centres arose in the suburbs.
All this happened basically because vehicles allowed people to escape the crowded cities and settle out in the suburbs where it was more peaceful and cleaner. To and from the city became much easier because public transport (buses and trains) began to become common.
The advantages of this were that people could work near to where they lived. It was easier to travel to work in the city by car or public transport. There was a large variety of goods and services available. Food off all types was available in all seasons. There were more houses, and bigger houses available.
The disadvantages of this time were that there was an urban sprawl (larger and larger cities). This meant much more pollution and traffic caused by the vehicles. Large demands of food meant that genetically modified (GM) food was developed and organic food became much dearer to buy. Less time, larger stores and many more customers meant there was no personal relationship with customers and shopkeepers. People wouldn’t walk much either and so obesity increased.
Internet Shopping and Malls : approx 1980 – present
This new trend started in the late 1970’s and early 80’s and on until today. The computer has been developed and is commonly available. The internet allows shopping to be done without leaving home.
The faster growing type of shopping now is internet shopping. Shopping “malls” which offer “retailaintment” are popping up. Larger and larger hypermarkets are being made. This offers “all-under-one-roof shopping.
The reasons for this type of shopping are because of the development of small, but powerful computers. The broadband technology was invented and globalisation means that people demand international standards of goods and services as they become more aware of what’s available elsewhere in the world.
The only advantages for internet shopping are that it is more time saving and is convenient. The advantages for the malls are that people can "hang out” which means they can have fun with their friends while they shop. They also have a wide range of activities and games they can play. They can have fun.
The disadvantages for internet shopping are that there is a more impersonal relationship with the seller. People don’t get to see, and touch, and try out their clothes and other products. There is the possibility of fraud when paying on-line. The disadvantages of malls are that there is still an impersonal relationship. Also, malls can become a focus point for rowdy youths. E.g. recently, the “Bluewater “ shopping centre in Kent had to ban youths wearing hooded jackets with caps as these were being used to conceal their identities while behaving anti-socially.
Whilst these methods suits younger people, the older generation find it difficult to handle computers and other new electronic gadgets. The older people miss the way of life in their youth and the relationship they enjoyed having with their “butcher, baker and candlestick maker”.
The changes described in the essay above since the early part of the industrial revolution are clearly visible if we look at pictures and descriptions of shopping areas and shopping behaviour from the past 100 or so years.
