Are we chasing speed at the cost of spirit?
When it comes to shopping…each kind has its own language. The way we shop reflects what we value, whether it is connection, speed, convenience or a good old-fashioned haggle over chai. We’re an intrinsic part of this ever-changing movement!
For a long time, shopping meant hours (well) spent walking in the lanes of Aminabad or experiencing the good old ‘Ganjing’. Then came in, like a storm, the custom of online shopping which still brought in the joy of anticipation - waiting for days for your order to arrive (so the surprise element was still intact). However, today, shopping has revolutionised into 10-minute deliveries. Convenience and comfort are reigning over community and connection, much more than ever. And while the ways of shopping keep evolving, what remains constant is that you always have a choice.
How? Let’s dive into it.
The Digital Revolution
E-commerce has undeniably changed the way we buy. With a few clicks, your order is on its way. There are no queues to struggle with, no fuss, no “Bhaiya, ye toh zyada hai. Na tera, na mera, 200 me done karo!” But.. the question to ponder on is… is there really any fun in fixed rates? It’s efficient, sure. But, sometimes, efficiency leaves hardly any room for the little joys, the playful back-and-forth or even the modern-day thrill of getting ₹20 cashback on your bill.
Quick Commerce: Swift, yes. Spirited? Not quite!
Quick Commerce today promises you the world at your doorstep. Long gone are the days where you would wait for your favourite gadgets to arrive at home or trying a suite of phones before choosing one you really liked. Today, we watch a couple review shots and, well, that’s it. We place the order and it’s there at your place in merely 10 minutes. No eye contact, no human interaction… just you, your phone and a doorbell ring. A liberal love story? Maybe.
But, let’s be honest, while speed is a thrill, it isn’t always spirit. The kind of spirit you feel when you know your shopkeeper’s name, when you know they’d save you a special deal because of the connection/friendship or the bliss of trying a dozen stores till you find “the one”... it’s freedom unmatched, people.
Local Commerce: The heart of connection
Local commerce is personal. It’s the shopkeeper who knows your family, the vendor who throws in a little extra because “aap toh apne hain” and the negotiation that starts at ₹500, closes at ₹250… and has chai included.
We’re talking about shopping which is more than a transaction. Where it’s an exchange of stories, smiles and shared history! Where you’re not just a customer but a part of the community, with frequent exchanges of “khaate me daal dena” or “arey aap bade din se aye nahi. Sab khairiyat?!” Where your lanes are filled with colour, chatter and chaar log (sometimes, those ‘chaar log’ are needed, people).
Local commerce keeps the human spirit in shopping alive.
So.. all we want to say is
Maybe it’s worth asking: Are we chasing speed at the cost of spirit?
Because sometimes, it isn’t just about getting what you want, it’s also about how you get it. If we were to choose a specific system of spending money on shopping all over again, let’s choose the one that builds community, supports livelihoods and leaves us with more than just what we paid for.
And if you ask us at Yett? The joy that comes with chai, “na tera, na mera” haggling and a smile from across the counter… is the sweetest deal of all.
