Store disloyalty

So in the news the past few months have been articles about how real life retailers are sufferig as rents rise and shoppers turn to online stores. There was even one store that said in an interview they were considering a "try on fee" for their clothes and shoes to try and buy commitment from shoppers (you get the fee off the cost if you buy the item). They wanted to do that because they found they were getting out shoes that people would love but just leave the store and buy it online.

 

Having shopped online myself, I would very rarely buy something untried unless it is very cheap. There are too many variations with size. And yes, I have committed this crime where I use excuses to discover the right size for me in a real store.

 

So what is the solution? I don't agree with a try on fee - so many times I have tried on something out of boredom (waiting for a friend) only to end up loving it and buying it. They will end up losing these kind of sales if they have a fee.

 

But could a fusion be created perhaps? The store is just a showroom, as such. There are terminals. You get a good discount if you order via the store's computers, less of a discount if you order externally to the store (eg at home). This could work not only for clothes, but any decorative or homeware item. The store itself gets a commission for having a customer buy in-store. Perhaps even a limited stock so if you really want it right now you can take it.

 

Perhaps an account? You have a set initial amount that you must pay into, and then you can use that credit to buy your things cheaply off their website. If you don't use up the credit you can get a refund - the idea would be that most people can't be bothered organising a refund (forms etc) and will just say: ok, I still have $50 what can I buy?

 

But I want to know how seriously are these businesses hurting? Because when a lot of people shop, they are shopping with a goal - they need those items right now and can't wait for postage. Friday night shopping as well - you go out as a social activity and only the staunchest of persons would fail to buy even one little thing because nothing seemed worthwhile when all your friends have bags swinging off their arms.