With the advent of online sale platforms, it was thought that one day brick and mortar stores would be wiped off from the market. Many businesses shifted from physical to online stores while others aim to do so. Online businesses are famous these days but still, you can find some biggest and successful business chains following the in-store trend.
It seems like the importance of brick and mortar stores in customer’s views is way more than expected. And so, physical stores are here to stay for longer. Here are a few statistics that you should know about experiences customers look for in physical retail stores:
Seeing is Believing:
Customers prefer brick and mortar stores as they can roam around and choose the items they find best. They can go through various items, check material, and select a color that pleases eyes and much more. Whereas items bought from online stores are not always as they look in pictures.
Moreover, customers also like to try item they are going to buy before paying for it. Research shows this group of customers consists of 62% of total customer market.
Right on Time:
Majority of customers don’t like waiting for their items to arrive. They might want to use that item on urgent basis. According to research, 49% of shoppers prefer to have their products in their hands right after they have paid for it. For these customers waiting for 2 days for items to get delivered is a big NO.
Also read:Â This Small Business Saturday Increase Foot Traffic In Your Retail Store
Return Policies:
Around 20% of customers love to shop from local shops because they can return products easily. For customers that buy products from online platforms, this takes a little more time. In case of a physical store, you can walk in, tell them the issue and get item changed.
Refreshment:
The shopping experience is always refreshing for people who are tired of working. People like going out for shopping for they get to spend some time socializing, trying different items and enjoying outside world. Where online shopping brings ease for customers, 18% customers still like physical stores.
Interacting With Team:
People like shopping in-store because of complete guidance they get from the staff of the shop. They can ask them as many questions they like and get views of different items as well. Though online stores mention features alongside products still 13% of the consumers like being helped by a team in physical stores.
So you see online stores are not here to replace brick and mortar stores so soon. In-store experiences that please the customers are the key to the survival of these stores. If you own a physical store, do focus on the above points.
