Distance Retailing

Distance Retailing

Rather than visiting a store to make a purchase, a customer may order products from a remote location. This may be done by mail, telephone, internet/email or other digital device such as interactive television and even from a refrigerator.

Physical Stores v Virtual Stores

Retailers that practice distance retailing may also have physical stores, such as Wal-Mart. Others may not, such as Amazon and Arkay Hygiene

Products

All manner of products can be sold in this way, from food groceries and large items like beds, that are usually delivered by dedicated vehicles, to many smaller non-food items that tend to be delivered by a courier or by parcel mail, such as fly killers. The range of products on offer is only limited by the budget of the customer and the shipping infrastructure available in a given region.

Advantages of Distance Retailing to the Customer

The customer does not need to travel to the store in order to purchase goods, saving time and travel costs. Browsing through different catalogues or on the internet or mobile phone can also save a lot of time compared with traveling from store to store.

Disadvantages of Distance Retailing to the Customer

There are certain products that customers prefer to touch, feel and even try out before they purchase. An example of this is clothing. There is, however, a distinction to be made between different types of distance selling. For example, music can be sampled on the internet or some mobile phones but this cannot be done with printed catalogues.

Some customers are uncomfortable purchasing goods at a distance if the seller isn't known to them. Whilst local stores will develop a word-of-mouth reputation in the community, it is harder to poll opinions for stores that are far away.

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