Across the country, the retail landscape is undergoing significant changes as stores face emptiness while porches fill with delivery boxes. This shift places retail owners and developers in a unique position to adapt to the evolving market demands. The necessary changes for retailers are fundamental rather than incremental, starting with decisions on how to locate, build, and outfit retail spaces.
Historically, commerce relied on bringing goods and customers to a physical market location. However, with the rise of the virtual world augmenting and often replacing physical spaces, retail was among the first sectors to feel the impact. The convenience of online shopping — sometimes reduced to just "one-click" — is undeniable.
Despite this challenge, there remains good news for retailers and developers. While brick-and-mortar establishments may struggle to match the convenience offered by online platforms, they still have something valuable to offer consumers: an "experience."
The full article is available at Area Development.