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As the Internet moves to the next level of adoption I was excited to read that Amazon is going great with it’s non-books/CD’s business. I was reminded of a recent conversation with a friend who is in the Web Development business who told me that even local businesses are upping their Internet presence as they cut back on “bricks.”
Why are “bricks” difficult to manage and more expensive? Just go into a Wal Mart and you realize the enormous effort it takes to keep the store going. Right from “greeters” to stocking assistants and shop floor associates with “May I help you” aprons gives you a sense of the mammoth tasks involved. Our local Wal-Mart has a re-organized floor space and everyone seems to be asking “where is the … whatever.” Associates spend enormous time and energy trying to help as best as they can.
On the other hand, just go to the Wal-Mart website and fill the search box with what you are looking for and hey – you got it. You want to check prices- go to Amazon.com or comparison web sites,like Biz Rate, to check the prices. Search and comparison allows consumers to do all the work of deciding and also the labor of checkout online. The firm has to just focus on quality and fulfillment. Think of all the customers who get and buy all they need at Wal-Mart and do the self-checkout.
All in all there are interesting times ahead for all non-perishable items, going forward as more and more consumers decide to shop or at least compare prices online.