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> Amazon itself is disruptable if someone can figure out how to get brick-and-mortar stores' inventories and order systems integrated. The last-mile / delivery

> Amazon itself is disruptable if someone can figure out how to get brick-and-mortar stores' inventories and order systems integrated. The last-mile / delivery problem is still Amazon's weak point, and if I can deal with merchandise issues in person at a local storefront (with competent service), but handle ordering and information online, I'd do it (and in fact, often do). Here in the UK, we have Argos, which is just that. Every city and large town has an Argos in the city centre, with a warehouse attached. You can order online, and either pick your items up at the store or have them delivered. They even have a 90 minute delivery option. Unfortunately, it's been in a massive decline in recent years. Warehouse space in the middle of cities turns out to be expensive, and Amazon's been carving out a massive chunk of their market.

dredmorbius 13y ago
I've seen some interesting noises out of IBM on this front, though I also remember IBM making noises about inventory management control systems with nuns advertising OS/2, so ... they've been at that a while. What the Web offers is a way to remove the distance and friction between people and product information: specs and reviews, despite the limitations of both. I've found that numerous stores are pretty good about talking me through what I'm looking to buy, and, if they don't have it in stock, ordering it for pick-up. Often within a day or so. What the store offers is existing relationships with manufacturers and distributors, as well as, well, a storefront in which I can walk in and collect the purchase when I choose to. Additionally, I've got a choice of payment methods, including cash, most of which avoid the various risks of fraud (to both the shopper and merchant) associated with online payments. There are few cases in which the option of "look up information online, place order through local merchant, be notified of availability, transact payment and pick up product" fails to work for me. For large or bulk purchases, arranging for delivery if necessary. Better: if on examination the product isn't what I was looking for, or fails to meet expectations, the merchant has a far easier time arranging returns (including, as noted, an existing relationship with the manufacturer / warehouser) than I as an individual have. Side note: Edward Bellamy's socialist utopia Looking Backward, written in 1887 about the year 2000, is a fascinating read. Some of its predictions are wide of the mark, but what I found particularly accurate, though his description was of an essentially socialist emporium, was his description of shopping. It's almost a perfect capture of the shopping mall experience, minus the advertising, down to the utterly ignorant and useless sales staff. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_Backward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_Backward

dredmorbius 13y ago

I've seen some interesting noises out of IBM on this front, though I also remember IBM making noises about inventory management control systems with nuns advertising OS/2, so ... they've been at that a while. What the Web offers is a way to remove the distance and friction between people and product information: specs and reviews, despite the limitations of both. I've found that numerous stores are pretty good about talking me through what I'm looking to buy, and, if they don't have it in stock, ordering it for pick-up. Often within a day or so. What the store offers is existing relationships with manufacturers and distributors, as well as, well, a storefront in which I can walk in and collect the purchase when I choose to. Additionally, I've got a choice of payment methods, including cash, most of which avoid the various risks of fraud (to both the shopper and merchant) associated with online payments. There are few cases in which the option of "look up information online, place order through local merchant, be notified of availability, transact payment and pick up product" fails to work for me. For large or bulk purchases, arranging for delivery if necessary. Better: if on examination the product isn't what I was looking for, or fails to meet expectations, the merchant has a far easier time arranging returns (including, as noted, an existing relationship with the manufacturer / warehouser) than I as an individual have. Side note: Edward Bellamy's socialist utopia Looking Backward, written in 1887 about the year 2000, is a fascinating read. Some of its predictions are wide of the mark, but what I found particularly accurate, though his description was of an essentially socialist emporium, was his description of shopping. It's almost a perfect capture of the shopping mall experience, minus the advertising, down to the utterly ignorant and useless sales staff. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_Backward http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Looking_Backward