As Amazon Keeps Growing, Students Keep Shopping

Amazon is always right at our fingertips —literally. Source: Christian Wiedigger on Unsplash.

Since its founding in 1994, Amazon has changed how consumers shop online. But following the uproar of purchases accumulated during the COVID-19 pandemic, the way college students use the online shopping platform has greatly shifted. 

Most of the money that once fueled brick-and-mortar stores has now turned toward online retailers, and Amazon is at the top of that list. Indeed, it’s no surprise that the evolution of 21st-century technology has changed spending patterns too.

“The Amazon Effect” makes it easy for consumers to purchase what they need (and don’t need). That expectation of quick and easy buying can be detrimental to many retailers. But still, for college students, shopping online is the only kind of shopping available amidst a busy schedule.

“Amazon is pretty convenient to me because you can buy so much in a single order,” said Emma Finkel ‘26. 

According to Forbes, this convenience comes through in six methods — reducing friction, technology, self-service, subscription, delivery and access. Amazon is a business-forward company that inspires others to follow suit.

Since the company sells any product under the sun, students depend on it for quick fixes. Along with the amount of products sold, Prime same-day shipping brings items into customers’ hands faster. 

Compared to visiting a store in person, online reviews also make it easy for students to browse through options.

“Amazon is better for me because I get to read the reviews about what I am buying, and it also can recommend cheaper options than what I was originally going to buy,” said Vincenza Casale ‘26. 

College students especially look for a company’s reputation when buying products, and compared to the fast fashion often found at brick-and-mortar stores or on websites like Shein and Primark, consumers can find a better sense of satisfaction. 

But through it all, Amazon has seemingly taken over the e-commerce field by storm and shows no signs of slowing down.

“The most important single thing is to focus obsessively on the customer,” said Jeff Bezos, Amazon’s founder, as quoted in Forbes. “Our goal is to be Earth’s most customer-centric company.”