Question

How is e-commerce different from traditional retailing? Explain your perspective on the idea: “Seamlessly merging the online and offline worlds is the ultimate aim – how retailers and shopping center owners do that is what makes the retail sector one of most thrilling and pioneering around.”

Answer 1

E-commerce is different from traditional retailing in the aspect that e-commerce does not involve the presence of brick and mortar or physical stores or retail outlets. It only needs to have online stores or website in order to present the entire range of product offerings to the customers. In turn e-commerce companies tie up with retail stores to provide the products that are listed on their websites and ordered by the customers. E-commerce channels work through social media platforms as well and do not need heavy investment unlike traditional retail stores. Also there is no need to maintain any Inventory as well in e-commerce solutions.

I agree with the statement that there is a need to merge online and offline retail channels which will help the customers get a wide assortment of products and their preferences are also met and customer satisfaction also increases. With the merger of online and offline channels, collaboration between these channels increases which results in more sales. Online channels shall be used as a medium of marketing and promotion whereas through offline channels, product availability is ensured which works well and results in increase in sales.