The following video is part of our "Motley Fool Conversations" series, in which research analyst Catherine Baab-Muguira and industrials editor/analyst Isaac Pino discuss topics across the investing world.
In today's edition, Cat and Isaac discuss a key change in consumer buying patterns that is effecting traditional brick-and-mortar retailers including Dow heavyweight Wal-Mart. It’s called "showrooming" and refers to when customers check out items in physical stores but later purchase the item online, often from Amazon.com. But the world's largest retailer, Wal-Mart, has figured out a way to in part bypass this trend, or at least integrate its online and physical presence in a compelling way. In fact, Wal-Mart may now be able to reach a group of consumers that Amazon still can't.
Retail is in its largest period of transition ever. The companies left behind will bankrupt investors, while the few exceptional leaders benefiting from this change will see astounding growth in the years ahead. The Motley Fool has created a free report, "The Death of Retail," that highlights two companies, hand-picked by Fool analysts, that are set to dominate the future. To check out these two companies and learn more about the future of retailing, click here now -- it's free!
