Besides being able to compare products on Amazon's website, you can also read customer reviews for each product, too. That's why I ended up with the Asus RT-AC68U wireless router--it was highly-rated by the vast majority of cusotmers of the product.
Clothing, however, will still stay heavily brick and mortar, since people need to try out the clothing before buying it. This is especially true in the case of shoes.
Hats, too, but that's becoming tough. I've taken to wearing wide-brimmed hats -- fedoras mostly -- and it's almost impossible to find hat stores anymore. When I do, I really go through a bunch before I find one I like. You can't get that online, but more and more, that's the only place you can find them.
I really wish hats became more in style. The 40s must have been heaven for hat lovers.
Zappos has done a good job for my shoe needs. Their return policy is very liberal. My son buys all of his safety-toed work shoes through them and shoes for his fast-growing 5-year-old.
People more and more browse online, then go to the local brick and mortar to try on shoes/pants/shirts/etc, and immediately return home to purchase online. It’s often cheaper to buy online and with free shipping.......
Not for me. I buy all of my shoes and clothes online. It’s easy, once I find brands that I like.