New Jersey is one of the most diverse and economically competitive states in the country. It is densely populated, but even so, its unemployment rate of 3.2% is lower than the national unemployment rate by .4%. Being the 8th largest economy among the states, small business owners claim that they feel widely supported by their community.
New Jersey’s location is an excellent factor in your business. Adding a physical store to your online shop can be daunting. From training the staff up to finding commercial roller shutters in New Jersey, everything will feel like your responsibility has tripled. Not only will you be handling the same workload as before, but you’ll also be adding stress into your life even if you have a bigger team with you. For sure, you will encounter problems that didn’t arise before.
Nevertheless, having a physical store is a sign of business success. If you can comfortably afford to pay for rent, renovation, and labor, it means that business is thriving. It is predicted that in 2020, 80% of US retail sales will happen in physical stores. This, however, does not mean that online shops are dying. As a matter of fact, the key to successful retail is the collaborative effort of both online and offline stores.
If doubt and fear are stopping you from constructing a physical store, here are the reasons why you really should:
- There’s nothing like customer service with a human touch.
There are e-commerce sites that respond to customer inquiries an hour or two later. When you pertain to the digital platform, that is the definition of good customer service.
Despite the satisfactory performance online, there is no connection being made between the customer and brand representative. It’s challenging to create a personalized experience that can be easily translated to the customers when you’re in the cyberworld. Add the fact that according to a study, 90% of consumers are more likely to purchase a product when aided by a knowledgeable brand representative. For a local shop, the human touch is an element that will make the community consider your business as their go-to brand.
- Customers prefer to use their senses before purchasing anything.
It’s true that people open their online shopping apps on their free time. The activity has become a hobby. However, 85% of consumers still prefer shopping in a physical store.
There are items that are easier to buy in a physical store. For instance, shoes, makeup, and swimwear. Not only does it require you to use your senses in picking the fabric and color, but you need to know if they are as comfortable as they look in the photos.
- Your business can easily showcase its brand culture in a physical store.
Although brand loyalty is possible to achieve online, there’s no better way to immerse in the brand than experiencing it in person. Whether your goal is to open a showroom or a store, having space is crucial.
Your store should emanate the atmosphere that sets you apart from the other brands. It should be distinct, so people can recognize your brand right away when they see or smell anything similar. From the decoration down to the scent, the curation of experience will create lasting impressions that will make them return as loyal customers.
Online and offline shops have respective advantages and disadvantages. Gauge the market. If there is a demand for a physical store, rest assured it will be beneficial for your business.
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