“Amazon doesn’t sleep, and is planning to get started with local deliveries. It is now all the more important for brick and mortar retailers to make a position for themselves as Local Heroes in their region and to use the connected store to catch up with the internet as far as product range is concerned.”

Dominik Brokelmann, CEO

BRICK AND MORTAR RETAILERS MUST NOT LET THEMSELVES BE LEFT BEHIND BY AMAZON ANY LONGER - THE CONNECTED STORE PUTS THEM ON AN EQUAL FOOTING

Amazon is planning to set up city logistics in Germany. They intend creating local distribution stations, like those already being used by Amazon in the UK, for example for express deliveries or deliveries on Sunday. All alarm bells should now be ringing for brick and mortar retailers! Amazon is venturing into the sovereign territory of the shop around the corner, which up until now has had the advantage of being able to provide products at short notice.

What does this mean for brick and mortar retailers?

Amazons transformation from a distance seller to a local supplier is slowly but surely becoming apparent in Germany as well. Whilst it is not yet the case, Amazon and other internet suppliers want to deliver products locally as soon as possible after they are ordered. This would get rid of one of the major advantages of brick and mortar retailers, i.e. having products available in store to be taken away by customers there and then.

What can be done?

Local delivery would only be one further point on the list of advantages online retailers currently have over brick and mortar retailers. They are steaming away from specialist retailers in particular as regards product range and price.

With our connected store, however, these advantages can be brought into stores as well, where they can then also be combined with the advantages the e-tailers don’t have, such as personal advice and service in store. Over 150,000 products are currently available in store via the Kiosk terminal, and can still be ordered even if they are not available in stock in store! By offering a connected online Kiosk, the shop around the corner can showcase its products around the clock on the internet and accept click & collect orders. For customers, this is the best solution, as they have their own familiar and trusted local point of contact they can turn to in the event of questions or problems, their Local Hero!

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