Physical stores are never going out of style

A lot has changed over the last couple of years. Many people around the world are not working in person anymore - the “work from home” culture is booming and showing no signs of ending anytime soon. That’s also the case for “shop from home” as well, where we can browse for millions of products from thousands of stores in the comfort of our homes. Or is it? Despite what people think, shopping online is a convenience many tolerate, but do it because they have to, not because they enjoy the experience. All over the world, people are going back to physical stores, browsing for real products and not only images of real products. Going against the direction everything else is taking today. Which is weird, considering the number 1 fear of traditional retailers in the past was the e-commerce craze.

The experience is what counts

But why do people go to physical stores if they can find the same product, for the same price (or cheaper) online? The first reason is that people want to experience the joy of going to the mall, entering a store, and choosing what they want. Touching it, sizing it, even smelling it. The experience of a physical store can never be replicated by scrolling down on a smartphone. To be able to use your senses and find out what you really want is a unique experience.

For many, to be able to try some new pants is very important, and for others, they want to be sure that the new headphones perform the way they expect. Hence their a need to go to the physical store instead of shopping online. Trying and testing products is more than just something people do to help them decide, it’s something people prefer to do.

It’s a social thing

If you go to a physical store, there will be someone there that you can talk to and ask questions, someone that can sympathize with you or give you tips for products you didn’t know about. A real, breathing person you can talk face-to-face. Humans are social animals, we crave human interaction. Sometimes a screen with written words on it is not enough. It feels unique, every time you go to a physical store the talk you have with a staff member is different. It’s all about you as an individual. Also, it’s also a lot of fun to do with friends.

Source: photo from freepik

A physical store can be so much more

Some places are not just a retail store, where you will find products, buy, and leave. Some places are really all about the customer experience and the enjoyment of being there, not necessarily for shopping. Some fashion stores will have DJs and public events, some kitchen shops will give cooking classes, gaming stores will host tournaments, and so on, and so forth. Then we want to go back there because we created a connection, a community. The possibilities are endless, and that is something we just can experience from home.