Empty aisles. Echoing footsteps. Silence where there used to be chatter. Real-world retail is clearly suffering. And now new research suggests that if bricks-and-mortar merchants want to survive, they should go virtual big-time.
According to the recent report, U.S. consumers are steadily moving online. Why? Well, a heap of them (94% of the study’s respondents) are comparing prices. And a solid number are looking for coupons (67%), while many are simply enjoying the virtual shopping experience (93%).

So, how might traditional retailers catch this wave? If you apply your years of retail prowess online, your results could surprise you. Here are a couple of examples:

Sears recently unveiled a multichannel-services platform called “Shop Your Way,” designed to allow seamless shopping across all Sears channels, Retailer Daily reports. The Shop Your Way page offers a range of options: Shop online and pick it up at the store, shop by phone, get an online helper or sign up for Sear’s in-home service.
JCPenney launched a virtual-runway feature on its e-commerce site that allows online shoppers to use “3-D” technology to try clothes on online, Retailer Daily says. Cool stuff.

Features like these help evoke the old-style store experience in brand-new ways online.
The Po!nt: Make those retail charms virtual. Retailers can actually hold an advantage online-when they find new ways to make the virtual experience echo the store experience their customers have grown to love.

Source: Retailer Daily. Read the full post here.