The economy is starting to become more service-based than retail-based. It's no longer about just connecting consumers with products they want. It's about either bringing it to their doorstep, or presenting them with an experience that makes them want to exit their homes. The retail experience is starting to become more like a restaurant experience. The store must provide an entire atmosphere and/or things that you cannot provide online (like a fresh, hot espresso or a purely social experience).
As much as I love the stores, I'm afraid The Electric Fetus and Down in the Valley won't survive a whole lot longer unless they really step up what they provide. If they can hitch themselves to a decent coffee shop and start hosting a stage for small bands to play in-store... then perhaps they'd have a business structure that will carry them beyond the next few years.
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The economy is starting to become more service-based than retail-based. It's no longer about just connecting consumers with products they want. It's about either bringing it to their doorstep, or presenting them with an experience that makes them want to exit their homes. The retail experience is starting to become more like a restaurant experience. The store must provide an entire atmosphere and/or things that you cannot provide online (like a fresh, hot espresso or a purely social experience).
As much as I love the stores, I'm afraid The Electric Fetus and Down in the Valley won't survive a whole lot longer unless they really step up what they provide. If they can hitch themselves to a decent coffee shop and start hosting a stage for small bands to play in-store... then perhaps they'd have a business structure that will carry them beyond the next few years.