I’d like to share this article I’ve encountered while doing a bit of bedtime reading last night.
In a time when almost everyone seems to be shopping online, are brick-and-mortar shops still relevant?
They are – and in most cases, a physical store could increase sales based on factors like location, 2 friends shoppinglevel of customer service, and availability of products. Today, it’s not enough to simply have a website OR a showroom. You need BOTH. Retailers must understand that the future rests on being able to properly integrate customer on- and offline experiences.
In order to do this, you must first understand consumer behavior. Why do they go online for purchases? What prompts them to visit a physical store? Recognizing buying signals equip retailers with the knowledge they need to develop smarter, more personalized services.
Source: http://retailnext.net/blog/leading-online-customers-into-your-store/
Thoughts:
I agree - large department stores should definitely find ways to make their online customers go to their location. Macy’s a really good example of this. It’s all about customer and user convenience nowadays.
What do you guys think?