It’s no secret that Amazon and other online retailers are making life difficult for many of the once-thriving brick-and-mortar retailers in the United States. And to an extent, there’s nothing that can be done. Shopping online is convenient and typically cheaper, and it's getting quicker and quicker by the day. A certain portion of retail sales is shifting online, and that’s just the way it’s going to be.
However, this doesn’t have to be the death of brick-and-mortar retail. All things being equal, I like to see most discretionary items in person before I buy them, and for many things I need, I don’t mind running to the store to have them now as opposed to waiting for Amazon’s two-day shipping.
The problem is that many brick-and-mortar retailers have developed some bad habits that need to be eliminated in order to keep customers in their stores. Most retailers have some form of strategy to compete. Price-matching, coupon sales, and growing online platforms are popular -- and quite effective. Having said that, here are some things that far too many retailers are getting wrong.
ALSO READ: The Retail Apocalypse May Not Be What You Think It Is
Invest better with The Motley Fool. Get stock recommendations, portfolio guidance, and more from The Motley Fool's premium services.