This has been happening for awhile. Although smart phones certainly do make it easier for more people to do it. I think retailers can combat that in a few ways

This has been happening for awhile. Although smart phones certainly do make it easier for more people to do it. I think retailers can combat that in a few ways, but its effectiveness will vary by industry. 1. Have amazing customer service. Sales people who know and understand the products and not push a bunch of useless extras. People still like to buy from people, not robots (includes brain dead sales people) 2. Carry mostly only store brand merchandise (See furniture stores like Crate & Barrel or West Elm). If you want a particular product, you have to buy it from that company, either in store or online. 3. Carry products from manufacturers with tight price controls (See Apple). Retailers used to try to get around manufacturer price controls to have a lower price, but now that might actually work for them.