Last week on Instagram Stories we asked our followers some questions about Brick & Mortar shops – and got a lot of lively responses! Too many to share in Instagram Stories, so we are sharing all your responses here. We love hearing your opinions and would like to keep the conversation going. If you have questions about Brick & Mortar shops, independent retailers, or online shopping email us at help@theshopkeepers.com or DM us on Instagram and we’ll start a conversation.
To celebrate Independent retailers we will be shortly announcing our “Best Shops of 2018”, in a variety of categories from newcomer to food, vintage to books, and we want you to nominate your favorites. Stay tuned…
“Do you think Brick & Mortar shops are a dying breed?”
- I hope not. I am definitely a bricks and mortar shopper.
- No.
- Yes, but it’s so sad! They should NOT!!!
- Yes. So many people don’t want to go out to the store when they can sit in their underwear and order online.
- Yes, unfortunately.
- I think big box stores and places like the malls are.
- I think retail is reinventing itself.
- Not at all. There is such a lot of work that goes into making a shop a beautiful community space.
- No, love to go in shops and see goods in person.
- I hope not!
- No. Just changing.
- They don’t have to be! Stores have to have the courage to have distinct personalities.
- Unfortunately yes.
- No.
- Yes, but I wish they weren’t.
- Yes, especially in NYC. Mom & pop shops can’t possibly handle the immense overhead.
- They are not. True retail is about the experience, and it as relevant as always.
- Absolutely not!
- In Seattle, small independent ones, they’re being demolished for apts, thx to Amazon.
- …the Indie? Time will tell.
- No, they are still alive and well.
- I think that brick and mortar shops will continue to prevail and wand will stay in competition.
- I used to shop brick and mortar all the time (even drive hours to get to cute shopping areas) but…. (unfortunately rest of comment cut off!)
- No it’s all about providing an experience you can’t get online.
- Only if people don’t support them.
- No, I think that they will continue to need each other.
- I think they will become places of sensual, tactile beauty, unique, only where those who value art, natu…
- Unfortunately it’s an uphill battle for shops.
- I own a shop (end of the a) in Rockaway Beach. In the past year there’s been so many shops that ya I..
- No, it just needs some reinvention to complement online retail! Nothing beats IRL and ….
- Hi as a B&M shop owner myself, I can see the difficulties to keep going. E-shops are in huge trend.
- No way, cannot create the same atmosphere and inspiration online.
- Never!!!
- No way!! We’re human, we need a physical touchpoint. We need interaction.
- Only Big Box. I like to think small shops will stay open because we like the family feel of them.
- Yes and no! Please read my post from yesterday (@homestoriesnyc)
- I prefer to shops small brick and mortars. Hate chains.
- Yes, it’s sad.
- Fuck no!
- Yes.
- Not unless they provide a great experience and awesome service.
- They are slowly coming back. Thank goodness….
- I hope not. I couldn’t bear life without experience.
- Only if 1) they don’t evolve. 2) they must have a lot of products that aren’t online.
- I opened one last year and I hear from a lot of my customers that they miss having actual stores.
- No, however I think they have lots of challenges with competing with online.
- No. Not if the shops are able to surprise and delight their customers.
Do you just browse in shops and then buy online?
- No. I usually only buy online what I can’t find in a store.
- Nope. If I see something I like , I try and support my local store.
- No. I would rather buy in shops.
- I buy IRL things handmade and special.
- Very occasionally I prefer to support the bricks and mortar shop – especially if it is independent.
- No, I prefer to buy in shop, unless price disparity is great.
- Only buy online from eBay. Hate Amazon, that’s the killer of the high street.
- Only if the service is bad and then I usually don’t buy at all..
- No.
- Yes.
- Sometimes.
- No, that’s unfair.
- Defiantly not.
- Never.
- I dislike malls and will buy online to avoid going to big stores.
- I never buy food online. I mostly buy clothes online.
- weirdly are customers window shop on our website then come in to buy. Opposite to expectation.
- No! as a small retail owner I find this is so disappointing. I strive to offer a genuine service.
- I definitely use Amazon for certain household items, but prefer shops for more personal gifts.
- Sometimes if my budget is more limited. But usually I buy both online and offline.
- I do the opposite.
- For heavy stuff will likely do.
- I don’y buy online. Shopping is not something I do often and so do it in person is more pleasant.
- Nope!
- I double check prices but always buy from small businesses.
- I buy what I love immediately, whether in a shop or online.
- Not usually.
- Both, but I love to browse in shops and find treasures that I didn’t know I needed.
- No I would rather buy in shops.
- Either buy “in situ” or online.
- Not if I am inspired.
When do you shop IRL?
- Weekend.
- Weekends and vacation.
- Occasionally and on vacations.
- Weekends, lunchtime, days off.
- Weekends and holidays.
- Every day.
- Always.
- All times.
- Weekends.
- Week evenings or Saturday.
- I will go out of my way and fight the crowds to support a local independent business.
- Weekends and vacations and for gifts.
- As much as possible.
- Weekdays and for nearly everything but I know I’m probably in the minority.
- Mostly weekends we love to visit independent concept stores in the city.
- I browse, late at night.
- I never shop online!
- Days off always.
- Weekends mostly.
- Almost never.
- When I can’t find what I’m looking for..
- All the time!
(not sure why there’s no comment section at the end of this page! DM us on Instagram, or email us at help@theshopkeepers.com)