brick and mortar

How I Saved 50 Percent by Using Kmart as Its Own Showroom

The retail trend of showrooming is exemplified by the shopper who visits a store like Kmart to get a real-world look at a product, then goes online to buy it from a competing e-commerce site at a better price. But what if the Kmart competitor offering the best price is Kmart.com?

Sales Taxes for Online Retailers Move Closer to Reality

Brick-and-mortar retailers have long complained that e-commerce sites enjoy an unfair advantage since they don't have to collect state sales taxes, allowing them to offer lower prices. The Marketplace Equity Act would change that -- and it's gaining momentum.

Is an Amazon Store in the Real World a Good Idea?

Soon, you might be able to buy a new Kindle at an actual, brick-and-mortar Amazon Store. The e-commerce giant is reportedly opening its first pilot store in Seattle. It's an intriguing idea, but the real question is: Why would Amazon want to?

Stores Go Both High-Tech and Homey to Lure You In

Retailers are spicing up their brick-and-mortar stores to keep you walking through the door. Their game plan? To design environments that are equal parts high-tech and homespun. But will the changes be enough to keep physical stores from being reduced to showrooms for e-commerce sites?

Are Apple Stores' Slow-Growth Blues Really That Blue?

While Apple%u2019s products and digital media stores continue to thrive, its once-ascendant retail operation is losing some luster. But if stagnant retail growth in Apple Stores is worrisome, it's not time yet to hit the panic button.

Is Amazon the New Walmart (in the 'Evil Empire' Sense)?

On Dec. 10, Amazon offered a special deal to shoppers who used its smartphone app in brick-and-mortar stores: Scan certain items, and the Web retailer would give them an extra 5% off. Critics cried foul. In one tactless move, has Amazon cast itself as the new mom-and-pop business killer?

Macy's Brings Back 24-Hour Holiday Shopping

In a bid to give shoppers more time to scoop up holiday gifts while dangling the carrot of shorter lines and fewer crowds, Macy's is bringing back its 24-hour stores for three all-nighters.

Cyber Monday: A Big Deal at Real World Stores Too

For great deals on Cyber Monday, turn off the computer and go bargain-hunting in brick-and-mortar stores. Between retailers desperate to compete and websites starting sales earlier, e-commerece's big day is losing its online luster.

Walmart.com Is Downloading Into the Shopping Mall

Walmart.com stores have opened in two California malls. They're tiny, but are stocking some hot items for the holiday season. It's a smart move for Walmart, but it begs the question: What were the mall landlords thinking?

Do We Still Need Brick-and-Mortar Bookstores?

The death of bookstore chain Borders begs the question: Is there still a place in the Internet-dominated market for brick-and-mortar booksellers and the value they add? Independent bookstores thinks so, and the numbers in the American Booksellers Association, believe it or not, are growing.

More Holiday Shopping Will Move Online in 2010

Online sales during the holiday season are likely to exceed their 2009 levels as shoppers shift away from shopping at some brick-and-mortar operations such as electronics and warehouse stores, said market research firm The NPD Group in a report Wednesday.

Bankruptcy for Blockbuster Could Come This Week

Blockbuster's long anticipated bankruptcy filing is apparently headed down the final stretch and could come by the end of the week. One of the cost-cutting moves the video chain is teeing up calls for 500 to 800 additional store closures beyond the nearly 1,000 it previously planned.