Selling
There’s been a lot of discussion about whether it’s better to run an online store or establish a bricks-and-mortar shop, but an emerging trend seems to suggest that a pairing of the two may actually be the best option. The integration of online applications combined with the physicality of an in-store experience offers buyers the best of both worlds and gives them the ability to make purchases instantly, whether in-store or online. Internet sales account for a significant portion of the U.K. economy, with the average consumer spending £1,083 online each year. Given the high amount of online sales, many start-ups choose to found a web-based company because it also tends to be the easiest and cheapest way to begin a business venture.
online
Tony Warren, director of the Farrell Center for Corporate Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Penn State, has said, “It’s possible to succeed by being strictly one or the other (online or in-store), but it’s not the smartest approach. The Internet is a vital part of any business now and if you’re starting a company and you don’t think about that, you’re missing an opportunity. The real opportunities are when you are both.” FlooringSupplies.co.uk, are one example of an online retailer who have recently opened a showroom in Croydon. Like many Internet business, they began their company online, but have realised that by combining the power of the Internet with the allure of a physical shop, they can greatly enhance the shopping experience of their customers. “Having an online store has been a great experience for us,” explained Adrian Lee, managing director of www. FlooringSupplies.co.uk. “However, as a natural progression of our expansion, we felt that opening a showroom would give us the perfect opportunity to build a solid base of local customers who would also benefit from our online expertise.” By Jason Edge
or-instore
Stores like Walmart and Blockbuster have each launched campaigns to integrate the Internet, mobile web and mobile applications with a bricks and mortar marketing campaign. Walmart’s campaign is aimed at edging in on some of Amazon’s market share, and Blockbuster’s campaign aims to regain customers lost to Netflix. Time will tell which behemoth wins the war, but crucial to each campaign is the cost a ????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????()??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????M????????????????????????????T?L?????????????????????????????????????????????????????
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