Final answer:
E-commerce purchases are typically distributed to customers through direct shipping or warehouse pick-up, which utilize advancements in technology and communication to improve shopping convenience and efficiency.
Step-by-step explanation:
The two methods commonly used to distribute e-commerce purchases to customers are direct shipping and warehouse pick-up. With direct shipping, products are delivered directly to the customer's address from the seller or a fulfillment center. This method is highly convenient and has been popularized by companies like Amazon which utilize vast warehouse systems to store inventory and optimize delivery logistics. Alternatively, warehouse pick-up, also known as 'click and collect,' allows customers to order online and then pick up their items from a designated warehouse, reducing shipping costs and possibly enabling quicker receipt of goods.