I recently wondered what would replace retail stores now that most are gone or going away.
The new YBUY service (an idea I casually considered several years ago around the time that CompUSA went belly up and others were in deep trouble. is an innovation coming exactly right on time.
Manufacturers, developers and carriers should do all they can (including investing in it) to support YBUY and definately not see it as a threat. If the sustainability numbers are there and the flagship takes wing and flys it could even be a franchisible concept if they can work through the potential issues. The biggest problems will come with customers ignoring policies, abscounding with or damaging units or simply just not paying up. I will be very interested to see how this concept plays out.
One piece of advice to YBUY. Host demos, trainings and focus groups and offer seriously discounted purchases and superior support.
The Shopping Trend:
Back in January an article quotied a Wall Street Journal report stating that Target “dslikes showrooming”, and that they don’t like shoppers visiting their stores, checking out the products and prices and then leaving to order online from somewhere like Amazon at a cheaper price. It went on to say that Target wants suppliers to create special products that are only sold in stores. That is irrational. If you are shopping retail and not checking prices online, you’re throwing away your hard earned money.
There’s also a position I support encouraging local shopping, but in tough financial times informed buyers turn to Amazon to find cheaper prices, better products, save sales tax and get inexpensive shipping.
Considering time spent driving to a store, the gas, the frustration of hunting down safe parking and finally the long wait in senseless lines it makes little sense to shop retail. Retailers must provide strong reasons and advantages to win back shoppers. Fighting smart shopping trend isn’t very smart.