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Stop Listening To Gerry Harvey!

06 Dec 2012

Every day I read stories about how retail is dead. The internet always gets the blame. That surprises me because there's no rule that says bricks and mortar retailers can't have on-line shops as well.

According to a Commonwealth Bank report into on-line shopping habits, 80% of all on-line purchases are made domestically. But wait, isn't everybody buying from China? Not directly. Obviously, people are still trying to buy from Australian companies.

The more websites and on-line shops I set up, the more convinced I am that every retail outlet must be accompanied by an on-line version of themselves. Why build customer loyalty and then abandon them to other outlets the moment they leave the store?

Even if your customers are not buying from your on-line shop they will still be browsing, comparing, interested.

Here is some more reading...

Watching shoppers snap and walk out

These articles are always interesting because they show the disconnect between retailers and consumers. The comments are the important bit to read. Sadly, this is the current retail environment in Australia.

Check in before checkout to save

The comments are illuminating. Retailers need to embrace on-line shopping. It is not the enemy. When customers leave the store make sure they know about the on-line version of it. Most importantly, put time and money into it! People shop on-line for many reasons and price is only one of them. Even shoppers underestimate convenience as a reason.

Finally, a clearer picture of on-line shopping

The number of online shoppers grows by over 20% per year; only 20% of on-line sales are overseas; 40% of online shoppers are aged over 45; people under 25 account for just 15% of transactions.

Store Charges Five-Dollar Just Looking Fee to Prevent People From Browsing Without Buying

Does anybody remember the old Yellow Pages slogan "Let Your Fingers Do The Walking". It was all about shopping around using your phone. Some things do not change. Customers still shop around. This article is not the best way to deal with it.


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