Online retail still accounts for a low percentage of overall retail sales and spending--about 3.3 percent last quarter of this year according to the Census Bureau. By 2012, that number is expected to climb to 12 percent of overall retail sales according to an eMarketer projection. That growing number, as a result, cuts into the bottom line of smaller brick and mortar retail stores.
Marc Compeau illustrates how and why traditional brick and mortar can still hold their own, especially those who are weary of starting their own small business in the same market as some major online retailers. The biggest adjustment a brick and mortar store can make is offer services that won't be as easy or efficient to offer for an online commerce store, such as equipment rentals, on-demand installations, or quality customer service.
Small business can thrive on quality and innovation to keep their heads above water in murky economic times--and eCommerce will continue on its own path to fulfill its own niche.
Posted
Jul 07 2008, 05:35 PM
by
Richly Chheuy