4. Identify Unique Solutions
When you start shopping for a product to address a specific need, it's possible that there's a solution you don't even know about, or that isn't available locally. Sometimes special purchase deals and highly specialized items are only available for online purchase - even from companies that operate physical stores. Walmart, for example, has items that are only available for purchase via the retail giant's website.
It's also possible that there is an ideal solution for your shopping need that has just been introduced to the market. It often takes innovations a while to make it to the shelves of traditional retail stores - especially in small to medium-size markets, but they tend to become available online very quickly. Without spending some time shopping online, you wouldn't have an opportunity to find out about these types of opportunities.