Why Is It So Hard Not to Shop at Amazon?

Have you ever experienced “Amazon amnesia”? It’s when you order something from Amazon and forget about it until it arrives at your doorstep. It’s a sign of how effortless Amazon has made consumption feel.

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And yes, sometimes that convenience is necessary. Your local pharmacy might not carry a specific supplement, and Amazon lets you subscribe and get it delivered at an affordable price so you never run out.

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If you live in a rural area and need something your local brick-and-mortar store doesn’t stock, Amazon can be a real help.

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But for everyday essentials like groceries, milk and eggs, paper towels, cleaning supplies, light bulbs and batteries, pet food, or even a last-minute greeting card — your neighborhood grocery, pharmacy, and hardware store likely has you covered.

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What Happens When We Shop From Amazon?

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When we choose Amazon for convenience instead of local stores, we siphon money out of our communities. If those dollars went to local shop owners, they would reinvest them in the neighborhood.

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By mid-2024, 3,200 smaller brick-and-mortar retailers had closed, a 24% increase from 2023. This included some big chains that shut down because of poor business decisions, but it also included small independent retailers struggling to compete with online players like Amazon.

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When we shop locally at grocery stores, bookstores, and hardware shops, we help these businesses survive and push back against Amazon. Their presence also keeps the neighborhood lively and vibrant, enriching everyone’s lives.

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If you can overcome the initial hesitation, you’ll find that most of your everyday needs can be met by these stores. Some also carry curated product selections. And by chatting with shop owners, you’ll start building connections with them and others who frequent the store.

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Also read: 12 Simple, Local Ways to Get Involved in Community Climate Work

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If you’re worried about paying a little more than you would on Amazon, you may make up the difference by avoiding impulse purchases; these stores don’t use the same tactics Amazon does to nudge you into buying more.

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Some stores also offer refill options, which can help reduce packaging waste.

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How to Start Moving Away From Amazon

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If Amazon has been your default for everyday shopping, it can be hard to quit overnight.

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A simple way to ease in is to buy a few items locally and compare prices with what you’d normally pay on Amazon. You may be surprised how often the gap is small or nonexistent.

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Instead of defaulting everything to one cart, keep two separate lists: one for what your local stores can cover, and one for the items you genuinely still need from Amazon.

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You can even ask shop owners if they’d be willing to stock a few of the items from your Amazon list.

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Over time, you’ll likely notice your local list growing and your Amazon list shrinking, making the transition feel manageable rather than overwhelming.

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