America’s ‘Retail Apocalypse’ Is Really Just Beginning
Full disclosure: I am the co-founder and lead developer at <a href="https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.locally.com" rel="nofollow">https:&#x2F;&#x2F;www.locally.com</a>. We do exactly what I describe below and we&#x27;re seeing great results. People want to buy from their local stores. They just need the modern paths to purchase: BOPIS (buy online pick up in store), local delivery, and the knowledge oh what is in stock nearby.<p>IMHO, the real path forward for retail is to get their in-stock goods in front of online shoppers via their brands&#x27; web sites, their own web site and local marketplace sites. Ecommerce is not the solution because nobody can expect to compete with Amazon.<p>Brands are learning the hard way that they cannot go D2C (direct to consumer), nor make a profit off selling on Amazon. They HAVE to support their network of retailers: small and large.<p>Yes, the day of reckoning for retail is coming. But it won&#x27;t be an apocalypse. 90+% of retail transactions still occur in a brick and mortar store and people love to shop. Most retailers (and brands) just don&#x27;t have the data and tools (yet) to drive traffic to stores. They&#x27;re still figuring out the Amazon problem.<p>We&#x27;re getting there though.