Why have Americans cut back on driving in recent years? The Washington Post explored some theories:

• Perhaps it’s all simply due to the recession – after all out of work people don’t commute.
• Or perhaps it’s because an ageing population leads to a population that drives less.
• Conversely, perhaps the younger generation is comfortable conducting social interaction online through sites such as Facebook. They might not feel the need to physically travel to see their friends.
• One analyst argues that the real reason is that Americans are shopping online more because they’re more comfortable doing that now than they were in the past. Plus advances in mobile computing have made it easier than ever to shop online. Online shoppers don’t need to travel to brick-and-mortar stores.
• Increased gas prices might also have encouraged individuals to shop from home.

To read some statistics, and to find out one surprising retail industry that’s booming click here.

Source: Washington Post

Via: The Economist