Net vs Brick-and-Mortar

A market battle is raging NOW between brick-and-mortar stores (Walmart)
& the net (Amazon).

I suppose the perception is such that an internet store can do it better, have a broader
selection & be more responsive to the needs of the consumer. It’s possible that the
internet store is more convenient & easier to use. Plus, maybe less expensive.

The struggle for the internet store is that they have to figure out how to get the product to the
end user …. the “last mile” they would say. Shipping costs can be significant. I recall not too
long ago, planning on purchasing a product, where it was being offered something like this
… “Buy 1, Get 2nd FREE”, the only thing needed to pay on the second one was shipping
& handling. The free turned out not to be so free, therefore I couldn’t even buy the first
one because of the shipping/handling cost.

The collection of sales taxes used to be a big deal, but that is quickly disappearing as an
issue & the playing field is being leveled.

Now comes the REAL big deal. The brick-and-mortar stores have actual buildings …. Rent,
electricity etc … huge overhead costs. They need to sell products at a price that allows them
to pay those costs. Thus, putting down a floor beyond which it’s difficult to go thru.

My thoughts about all of this came about after purchasing some items from Walmart.

My family actually ordered the items online (groceries) & then we went to pick them
up using their Walmart Pickup service. We ordered the items, they texted us telling us that
they were ready for pick up, We texted them back telling them we  were on the way
& amazingly enough they have a pleasant person come out to our car give us the items,
explain what they were out of stock on, provide us suitable replacements. This service was incredible.

Walmart beat the internet sellers by sharing the costs of shipping for the last mile. We (consumer)
assumed that responsibility & picked the items up. Similar to gas stations from yesteryear.
Walmart used their store as an advantage as opposed to a liability, not a burdensome cost.
Clever.

Way to go Walmart!!! They are bridging the internet & brick-and-mortar gap ever
so nicely.

Hey, Amazon … it’s not going to be a walk in the park on your trip to global domination :)