Tuesday, October 31, 2023

Opinion Today: Are New Yorkers addicted to online shopping?

The case for cutting back.
Author Headshot

By Suein Hwang

Business, Economics and Technology Editor, Opinion

Deep in the recesses of my mind, I keep a brief list of items I would consider purchasing, if only I could try them on in person: perhaps another pair of soft pants, or a new pair of eyeglasses to help compensate for the soft-pant look. Maybe even a cream blush-lipstick combo befitting my soft-pant status. Occasionally, I think about my years living in New York City, when I could dash out the door and have all manner of soft pants and soft-pant-enabling accessories at my fingertips.

So it took some convincing for me to believe that New Yorkers, who possibly have more convenient access to shopping than people living most anywhere else, are addicted to online shopping — so much so that it is cited as a reason the city's retail sector recovery lags that of the rest of the country.

The writer Sonja Anderson has some feelings about the fact that over 2.4 million packages are delivered in New York City every single weekday. "If those packages were people, they'd be metropolitan Austin, Texas. If they were stone blocks, they'd top the Great Pyramid of Giza. Even if each of those packages were as thin as the Postal Service's smallest priority shipping box — an inch and three-quarters thick — when stacked like books, the daily pile would be as tall as 241 Empire State Buildings, one atop the other," she writes.

With wit and searing clarity, Anderson skewers our collective obsession with buying it now and reminds us of the collective cost of this pastime on New York's air quality, its traffic and its pedestrians. The city has led the world in areas like fashion and media. Perhaps it can help us remember the joys of rediscovering our neighborhoods as well.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Here's what we're focusing on today:

More From Opinion

ZEYNEP TUFEKCI

The Memories That Feed Distrust in the Middle East

Many cannot forget the false or exaggerated claims that led to the Iraq war.

By Zeynep Tufekci

Article Image

JAMELLE BOUIE

America's Rifle Fetish Is Destroying Its Sense of Freedom

Loving our guns to death.

By Jamelle Bouie

Article Image

PAUL KRUGMAN

Autoworkers Strike a Blow for Equality

Is this a turning point for unions — and shared prosperity?

By Paul Krugman

Article Image

SERGE SCHMEMANN

Why Oslo Still Has Relevance

The hopes briefly raised by a handshake 30 years ago can be more than a sad footnote to history.

By Serge Schmemann

Article Image

GUEST ESSAY

Matthew Perry and the Loneliness of Addiction

He was a brilliant performer, but his honesty will be his greatest legacy.

By Patti Davis

Article Image

GUEST ESSAY

I've Been Under Bombardment. There Must Be a Cease-Fire in Gaza.

What outcome does Israel's strategy avert that would be worse than the outcome it has already created?

By Megan K. Stack

Article Image

GUEST ESSAY

American Muslims Are in a Painful, Familiar Place

There seems to be a sense of both resignation (we've been here before) and shock (but we've been here before).

By Rozina Ali

Article Image

GUEST ESSAY

The Supreme Court's Social Media Cases Can Strengthen Our Democracy

The justices should remember that the First Amendment's highest purpose is to protect the speech that's necessary to democracy.

By Jameel Jaffer

Article Image

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Subscribe Today

New York Times Opinion curates a wide range of views, inviting rich discussion and debate that help readers analyze the world. This work is made possible with the support of subscribers. Please consider subscribing to The Times with this special offer.

ADVERTISEMENT

Ad

Games Here are today's Mini Crossword, Wordle and Spelling Bee. If you're in the mood to play more, find all our games here.

Forward this newsletter to friends to share ideas and perspectives that will help inform their lives. They can sign up here. Do you have feedback? Email us at opiniontoday@nytimes.com.

If you have questions about your Times account, delivery problems or other issues, visit our Help Page or contact The Times.

Need help? Review our newsletter help page or contact us for assistance.

You received this email because you signed up for the Opinion Today newsletter from The New York Times.

To stop receiving Opinion Today, unsubscribe. To opt out of other promotional emails from The Times, including those regarding The Athletic, manage your email settings. To opt out of updates and offers sent from The Athletic, submit a request.

Subscribe to The Times

Connect with us on:

facebooktwitterinstagram

Change Your EmailPrivacy PolicyContact UsCalifornia Notices

LiveIntent LogoAdChoices Logo

The New York Times Company. 620 Eighth Avenue New York, NY 10018

No comments:

Post a Comment