In-store to Online: How Paint Shopping Has Changed
Paint has been gracing our walls for almost as long as people have lived in houses. The world has changed countless times since then, as has the way people have gotten their hands on paint. Understanding how paint shopping has changed helps us appreciate how far we’ve come.
The Early Days of Store-bought Paint
Many people are surprised to learn that people have been shopping for paint as far back as the first industrial revolution. In general, house painting used to be reserved for the very wealthy, but around 1700, we began seeing the advent of paint mills, such as the one started by Thomas Child in Boston, Massachusetts.
In those days, people technically weren’t buying paint. They were buying pigments that they needed to mix when they got home. It wasn’t until the late 1860s that people began selling ready-made paint in resealable cans. People bought these products in paint stores or from paper catalogs.
Advances in Paint Stores
As paint technology developed, so did shoppers’ experiences while in paint stores. The creation of can shakers allowed shoppers to choose from a wider variety of size options, while other devices allowed customers to mix and create custom colors.
Starting in the early part of the last century, paint stores began developing catalogs that allowed consumers to compare colors between companies. This allowed customers to be more selective about what brand they preferred.
The Rise of Online Paint Shopping
It’s no secret that online shopping has become the norm, especially as our society has begun relying more and more heavily on the internet. The same is true for shopping online for paint.
Of course, shopping for paint online has had to overcome a variety of challenges. For instance, different computer screen displays may show colors differently, leading to customers thinking they’re buying one color but receiving something different. But e-commerce has overcome with tools such as peel-and-stick color swatches and color samples.
Advantages in Online Paint Shopping
These days, not only has shopping for paints online become feasible but it’s also become many shoppers’ preferred option because of all the benefits it can offer. Along with saving shoppers the hassle of travel, online shopping allows you to compare hundreds of colors and brands quickly and efficiently.
When you look at how shopping for paint has changed, it’s amazing how far we’ve come. Take advantage of modern paint shopping by browsing ECOS Paints’ collection of cabinet paint online today.
