Buying clothes and other cosmetic things online are relatively cheap. How do you determine the quality of what you are buying? Walk in to the store gives an advantage of thorough examination of what you are investing on.
Exactly, Bolaji. There is always a bit more risk in ordering something rather than picking out the actual item physically. Those who sell online have to take that into account in their policies for returns and service.
@Ariella, Correct. If the after-sales support is shoddy the customer will remember. I know I do. One of the things I want to be sure of is that I can return items if they don't fit or for any other sensible reason. I also want to know I can get support if needed especially for expensive products like electronics. Without this you won't clinch the sales or if you do, I may not be back the next time.
While holiday season is coming, there is potentially the risk that retailers promote special sales and special prices in order to leave off their inventories. People are very attracted by special offers, but sometimes they forget it is basically a commercial policy for selling lastone units of product with the aim to launch on the market new and up-to-date products once holiday season is gone. Ever happened in your opinion?
Ariella's point is well said. The customer relationship only strengthens when you ask for their opinion on how your service was - whether you delivered the right product at the right price at the right time or not. In many cases, it becomes the best PR you've got and certainly not something your competitors will take the time to do especially if they're relying on the Net for most of the transactional contact.
@hwong - I actually do my clothes shopping on-line. I know my size and I can get better deals on-line. I do most of my groceries in person but I do purchase some non-perishables on-line.
I think mobile retailing will become very important. Apart from online selling, the use of mobile apps would also aid users while shopping physically in stores. For instance, there are apps out there which help the customers in locating the goods while they are shopping in super markets. Apps which read the barcode on a product and give information about the product are also becoming more common.
@eemom - What types of things do you buy that constitute 90% of shopping ? I'm curious because I do shop online for certain items but I can't imagine buying everything else like groceries or clothes.
EBN Dialogue enables and encourages you to participate in live chats with notable leaders and luminaries. Not only editors and journalists, but the entire EBN community is able to comment and ask questions. Listed below are upcoming and archived chats.
Archived Dialogues
Thailand Stages a Comeback Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Euro-Crisis: What It Means for High-Tech Firms Join EBN Editor in Chief Bolaji Ojo and Contributing Editor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday, July 12, at 10:00 a.m. EDT for a Live Chat on high-tech and Europe's economic difficulties.
Microsoft Surface: Potential Winners & Losers What are the implications for the electronics industry supply chain of Microsoft Corp.'s decision to launch its own tablet PC? Join industry veteran and EE Times' systems and OEM expert Rick Merritt on Tuesday, July 3, at 12:00 pm EDT for a Live Chat on this subject.
Join EBN contributor Jennifer Baljko on Thursday August 23, 2012, at 11:00 a.m. EST for a live chat on how electronic manufacturers in Thailand have shored up their supply chain to reduce the impact of future natural disasters.
Peter Drucker famously said "Trying to predict the future is like trying to drive down a country road at night with no lights while looking out the back window." Yet in the razor's-edge world of electronics—with a lean supply chain and just-in-time demands—the need to know the future is vital.
You've heard the saying "the No. 1 supply chain risk is your people." That hasn't always been the case. But today's complex global supply chain requires a new type of multitalented employee. It's one who understands, finance, marketing, economics, is savvy with technology, graceful with relationships and can think analytically.
Where are these people? Are universities properly preparing the next generation supply chain professionals? How do train your existing workforce for these new, demanding positions?
Brian Fuller, editor-in-chief of EBN, will lead a 60-minute Avnet Velocity panel discussion that will ask and answer these and other questions swirling around today's supply-chain talent challenges.
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