It seems there’s a trend of online stores opening up locations in the real world. According to ComputerWorld magazine, even Amazon, the king of online sales, is looking to open brick and mortar bookstores. But why are these companies doing so, and is it really good for business? Keep reading to find out:
Provide a showroom
ComputerWorld magazine noted that one reason Amazon is opening physical stores is to provide customers with a showroom for its products. Although the stores will center around selling books, they’ll also be able to display Amazon’s e-readers and digital assistant devices. You can do the same for your online store. Customers will be more likely to make a purchase if they can see and touch the products. A physical location also makes it easier to accept and resell returned items.
Build the brand
Online marketing can build a brand, but you shouldn’t neglect offline strategies either. At the end of the day, having a recognized and trusted brand is worth more than anything else. Promotional mailers, coupons and in-store events will build loyalty and encourage further purchases. LS Retail noted that a brick and mortar shop is the perfect place to immerse shoppers in your brand – it can really get people excited about your products.
Improve customer service
A physical location allows shoppers to talk to someone face-to-face. Even the best phone support staff can’t touch that level of service. TechCrunch noted that this also lets customers conveniently return products. Rather than waiting in line at the post office to ship the item back, they can simply head to the store – and while they’re there, they might make another purchase!
Create consistent experiences
Having a beautiful user experience on your website and a well decorated and organized shop can both put a customer at east, but they are two very different things. If it’s your first time designing a store layout, consider giving our experts a call. Tell our staff members the size of your store and the types of materials it’s made of, and they can assist you in making the most of your space. They’ll be able to tell you what kind of racks and shelving to use to best display your merchandise. Then, you can grab some mannequins and other visual display items to really make your location pop.
