You've probably heard of e-mail, e-business, e-commerce - seems like it's e-everything at the moment, doesn't it? Heaven's above, the council are even considering resurrecting the e-intracom project! Well move over e-commerce make way for s-commerce.
s-commerce is being rolled out in cities and towns across the uk. "It's a real revelation," said John Crowley "you walk into one of these s-commerce centres - or shops - and they have all sorts of things for sale." John was particularly impressed with a clothes shop he discovered while browsing in Barnstaple. "Shops seem to be the ideal medium for transactions of this type. I can try out a jacket and see if it fits me. Then I can visualise the way I would look if I was wearing the clothing" he said.
This is possible using the very latest technology - a high-definition 2D viewing system, or 'mirror' as it has become known.
Shops, which are often aggregated into shopping portals or 'high streets', are becoming increasingly popular with the cash-rich, time-poor elderly generation of consumers. Often located in densely populated areas, people can find them extremely convenient.
"Some days I just don't have the time to download huge Flash animations of rotating trainers and then wait five days for them to be delivered in the hope that they will actually fit, said Eric Mitchell.
"This way I can complete the transaction in real time and walk away with the goods", he added. Being able to see whether the trainers fit has been a real bonus for Eric. "I used to spend my evenings boxing up gear to return. Sometimes the goods didn't fit; sometimes they just spent the wrong stuff." he said.
So, there you have it from the horses' mouths. Forget all this e-rubbish, go on a s-commerce shopping spree today!