26. In retail, or "storefront," business, location is still a key ingredient of business
# H2 p, `& }' [, K* R: w7 \. asuccess. The extent to which this will continue to be true, given the inexorable growth
; s; o+ W! M# X& r, U" `9 V, Wof Internet commerce, will vary among industries.
- U8 m! z3 I) X* s2 ^8 g, s In more traditional retail sectors, such as clothing, cosmetics, and home
' e# H$ R$ T' E! U; C0 q: aimprovement, an in-person visit to a retail store is often necessary—to try on clothes for 7 m7 b& c# Z4 O' _
fit, compare fragrances, or browse among a full selection of textures, colors, and styles. ( f3 ~3 Z1 M3 s
Also, activities such as shopping and dining out are for many consumers enjoyable * H/ J/ N2 @. A7 _. X
experiences in themselves, as well as excuses to get out of the house and mingle with & ~4 U' k; j# Z& H9 s0 X/ ~
others in their community. Finally, shipping costs for large items such as appliances and , f4 i5 s5 K$ i& X* {- f
home-improvement items render home shopping impracticable. Thus, burgeoning
) T0 _$ e! P3 b9 Vtechnologies pose no serious threat to Main Street, and location will continue to play a
2 t- g# ?( k4 h7 z& opivotal role in the fate of many retail businesses.) u) [. O7 F' X2 j
Nevertheless, technology-related industries are sure to move away from physical
7 Q( D& C: j3 k2 ^/ mstorefronts to virtual ones. Products that can be reduced to digital "bits and bites," such $ g: ]8 m( l' A& u% C( J/ j! Y# _
as books and magazines, recordings, and software applications, are more efficiently
" K8 k7 l; E0 E( \; A+ F+ ~distributed electronically. Computer hardware will not disappear from Main Street quite / a' a5 y1 z7 m6 ?+ J
so quickly, though, since its physical look and feel enters into the buying decision. & [' \7 G! T' m+ g( r( A- [4 }
Computer superstores should continue to thrive alongside companies such as Dell,
5 g L, S* Q" c# S7 {& b# bwhich does not distribute through retail stores.# P' W8 I; `+ B* P" W) C, b
In conclusion, consumer demand for convenient location will continue with V( D K# @+ j3 L" E$ D2 L
respect to certain tangible products, while for other products alternative distribution + x; ^* |6 g- _ Q2 o
systems will gradually replace the storefront, rendering location an obsolete issue.- |
发表于 2012-8-15 21:50:16
