IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/eee/trapol/v162y2025icp260-269.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

How does the travel effect of e-shopping differ by travel mode? Empirical evidence from Chengdu, China

Author

Listed:
  • Li, Enlong
  • Yang, Yongchun
  • Shi, Kunbo
  • Witlox, Frank

Abstract

With the growing popularity of e-commerce, there has been a surge of interest in comprehending the potential impacts of e-shopping on travel behavior. However, as individuals may use various means of transportation for their shopping trips, the effect of e-shopping on travel modes might vary accordingly. This study aims to examine how the travel effect of e-shopping differs by travel mode. The data were drawn from face-to-face interviews with 742 respondents in Chengdu, China. The results reveal a substitution effect of e-shopping on shopping trips by all means of transportation considered in this study, including car, public transit, bicycle, and walking. Notably, e-shopping for non-daily goods (i.e., clothes and books) has a greater influence on reducing trips by public transit than other travel modes. Meanwhile, e-shopping for daily goods (i.e., packaged foods and daily necessities) shows a greater substitution effect on walking trips. Furthermore, we identify several factors that influence the substitution effect of e-shopping on the use of travel modes. Particularly, increasing street density has positive implications for reducing car or walking trips, while increasing employment density exerts a positive influence in fostering the use of sustainable travel modes.

Suggested Citation

  • Li, Enlong & Yang, Yongchun & Shi, Kunbo & Witlox, Frank, 2025. "How does the travel effect of e-shopping differ by travel mode? Empirical evidence from Chengdu, China," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 162(C), pages 260-269.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:162:y:2025:i:c:p:260-269
    DOI: 10.1016/j.tranpol.2024.12.007
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0967070X24003810
    Download Restriction: Full text for ScienceDirect subscribers only

    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1016/j.tranpol.2024.12.007?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    As the access to this document is restricted, you may want to search for a different version of it.

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Cheng, Long & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2021. "The influence of the built environment on online purchases of intangible services: Examining the mediating role of online purchase attitudes," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 116-126.
    2. Li, Enlong & Shi, Kunbo & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2024. "The influence of online food delivery services on eating-out travel — A case study of chengdu, China," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 81(C).
    3. Xu, Lu & Saphores, Jean-Daniel, 2024. "Does e-shopping impact household travel? Evidence from the 2017 U.S. NHTS," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    4. Tian Wu & Hongmei Zhao & Xunmin Ou, 2014. "Vehicle Ownership Analysis Based on GDP per Capita in China: 1963–2050," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 6(8), pages 1-23, August.
    5. Kunbo Shi & Long Cheng & Jonas De Vos & Yongchun Yang & Wanpeng Cao & Frank Witlox, 2021. "How does purchasing intangible services online influence the travel to consume these services? A focus on a Chinese context," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2605-2625, October.
    6. Minh Hieu Nguyen & Jimmy Armoogum & Binh Nguyen Thi, 2021. "Factors Affecting the Growth of E-Shopping over the COVID-19 Era in Hanoi, Vietnam," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-21, August.
    7. Patricia L. Mokhtarian, 2002. "Telecommunications and Travel: The Case for Complementarity," Journal of Industrial Ecology, Yale University, vol. 6(2), pages 43-57, April.
    8. Xi, Guangliang & Cao, Xinyu & Zhen, Feng, 2020. "The impacts of same day delivery online shopping on local store shopping in Nanjing, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 136(C), pages 35-47.
    9. Ding, Chuan & Wang, Donggen & Liu, Chao & Zhang, Yi & Yang, Jiawen, 2017. "Exploring the influence of built environment on travel mode choice considering the mediating effects of car ownership and travel distance," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 100(C), pages 65-80.
    10. Ozbilen, Basar & Wang, Kailai & Akar, Gulsah, 2021. "Revisiting the impacts of virtual mobility on travel behavior: An exploration of daily travel time expenditures," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 49-62.
    11. Shi, Kunbo & Shao, Rui & De Vos, Jonas & Cheng, Long & Witlox, Frank, 2021. "Is e-shopping likely to reduce shopping trips for car owners? A propensity score matching analysis," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 95(C).
    12. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2019. "Does e-shopping replace shopping trips? Empirical evidence from Chengdu, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 21-33.
    13. Farag, Sendy & Schwanen, Tim & Dijst, Martin & Faber, Jan, 2007. "Shopping online and/or in-store? A structural equation model of the relationships between e-shopping and in-store shopping," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 41(2), pages 125-141, February.
    14. Jesse W.J. Weltevreden & Ton Van Rietbergen, 2007. "E‐Shopping Versus City Centre Shopping: The Role Of Perceived City Centre Attractiveness," Tijdschrift voor Economische en Sociale Geografie, Royal Dutch Geographical Society KNAG, vol. 98(1), pages 68-85, February.
    15. Suel, Esra & Polak, John W., 2017. "Development of joint models for channel, store, and travel mode choice: Grocery shopping in London," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 99(C), pages 147-162.
    16. Arranz-López, Aldo & Blitz, Andreas & Elizondo-Candanedo, Raúl F. & Lanzendorf, Martin, 2024. "The connections between e-shopping and sustainable transport choices – Comparing urban and rural environments," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    17. Calderwood, Eric & Freathy, Paul, 2014. "Consumer mobility in the Scottish isles: The impact of internet adoption upon retail travel patterns," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 59(C), pages 192-203.
    18. Weltevreden, Jesse W.J. & Rotem-Mindali, Orit, 2009. "Mobility effects of b2c and c2c e-commerce in the Netherlands: a quantitative assessment," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 17(2), pages 83-92.
    19. Aldo Arranz-López & Julio A. Soria-Lara & Martin Dijst & Hichem Omrani, 2023. "Does e-shopping increase walking time willingness to reach in-store locations? Exploring the spatial effects," Transportation Planning and Technology, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 46(6), pages 729-753, August.
    20. De Vos, Jonas, 2018. "Do people travel with their preferred travel mode? Analysing the extent of travel mode dissonance and its effect on travel satisfaction," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 117(C), pages 261-274.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Arranz-López, Aldo & Blitz, Andreas & Elizondo-Candanedo, Raúl F. & Lanzendorf, Martin, 2024. "The connections between e-shopping and sustainable transport choices – Comparing urban and rural environments," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    2. Kunbo Shi & Long Cheng & Jonas De Vos & Yongchun Yang & Wanpeng Cao & Frank Witlox, 2021. "How does purchasing intangible services online influence the travel to consume these services? A focus on a Chinese context," Transportation, Springer, vol. 48(5), pages 2605-2625, October.
    3. Li, Shengxiao (Alex), 2023. "Revisiting the relationship between information and communication technologies and travel behavior: An investigation of older Americans," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 172(C).
    4. Mateos-Mínguez, Paloma & Arranz-López, Aldo & Soria-Lara, Julio A. & Lanzendorf, Martin, 2021. "E-shoppers and multimodal accessibility to in-store retail: An analysis of spatial and social effects," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 96(C).
    5. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Cheng, Long & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2021. "The influence of the built environment on online purchases of intangible services: Examining the mediating role of online purchase attitudes," Transport Policy, Elsevier, vol. 114(C), pages 116-126.
    6. Harsh Shah & Andre L. Carrel & Huyen T. K. Le, 2024. "Impacts of teleworking and online shopping on travel: a tour-based analysis," Transportation, Springer, vol. 51(1), pages 99-127, February.
    7. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Yang, Yongchun & Witlox, Frank, 2019. "Does e-shopping replace shopping trips? Empirical evidence from Chengdu, China," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 122(C), pages 21-33.
    8. Xu, Lu & Saphores, Jean-Daniel, 2024. "Does e-shopping impact household travel? Evidence from the 2017 U.S. NHTS," Journal of Transport Geography, Elsevier, vol. 115(C).
    9. Shah, Harsh & Carrel, Andre L. & Le, Huyen T.K., 2021. "What is your shopping travel style? Heterogeneity in US households’ online shopping and travel," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 153(C), pages 83-98.
    10. Limon Barua & Bo Zou & Yan Zhou & Yulin Liu, 2023. "Modeling household online shopping demand in the U.S.: a machine learning approach and comparative investigation between 2009 and 2017," Transportation, Springer, vol. 50(2), pages 437-476, April.
    11. Cano-Leiva, José & Gomez, Juan & Alves, Guilherme F. & Manuel Vassallo, José, 2024. "How has COVID-19 changed individuals’ e-commerce and shopping mobility habits? Evidence from Madrid Region," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 190(C).
    12. Colaço, Rui & de Abreu e Silva, João, 2022. "Exploring the e-shopping geography of Lisbon: Assessing online shopping adoption for retail purchases and food deliveries using a 7-day shopping survey," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 65(C).
    13. Jing Chen & Yong Zhang & Shiyao Zhu & Lei Liu, 2021. "Does COVID-19 Affect the Behavior of Buying Fresh Food? Evidence from Wuhan, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(9), pages 1-15, April.
    14. Orit Rotem-Mindali & Jesse Weltevreden, 2013. "Transport effects of e-commerce: what can be learned after years of research?," Transportation, Springer, vol. 40(5), pages 867-885, September.
    15. Yu, Vincent F. & Aloina, Grace & Eccarius, Timo, 2023. "Adoption intentions of home-refill delivery service for fast-moving consumer goods," Transportation Research Part E: Logistics and Transportation Review, Elsevier, vol. 171(C).
    16. Ozbilen, Basar & Wang, Kailai & Akar, Gulsah, 2021. "Revisiting the impacts of virtual mobility on travel behavior: An exploration of daily travel time expenditures," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 145(C), pages 49-62.
    17. Qing Zhai & Xinyu Cao & Patricia L. Mokhtarian & Feng Zhen, 2017. "The interactions between e-shopping and store shopping in the shopping process for search goods and experience goods," Transportation, Springer, vol. 44(5), pages 885-904, September.
    18. Zhou, Yiwei & Wang, Xiaokun (Cara), 2014. "Explore the relationship between online shopping and shopping trips: An analysis with the 2009 NHTS data," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 70(C), pages 1-9.
    19. Wang, Kaili & Gao, Ya & Liu, Yicong & Nurul Habib, Khandker, 2023. "Exploring the choice between in-store versus online grocery shopping through an application of Semi-Compensatory Independent Availability Logit (SCIAL) model with latent variables," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 71(C).
    20. Shi, Kunbo & De Vos, Jonas & Yang, Yongchun & Li, Enlong & Witlox, Frank, 2020. "Does e-shopping for intangible services attenuate the effect of spatial attributes on travel distance and duration?," Transportation Research Part A: Policy and Practice, Elsevier, vol. 141(C), pages 86-97.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:eee:trapol:v:162:y:2025:i:c:p:260-269. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Catherine Liu (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www.elsevier.com/wps/find/journaldescription.cws_home/30473/description#description .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.