E-commerce should mean multiple ways to deliver goods
When customers buy items online, the typical expectation is that they will have products shipped to their home, and their options in the process are when everything will be delivered and how much they are willing to pay for faster service. This has changed in recent years, though. In some instances, e-commerce may entail listing in-store items online, so that shoppers don't waste a trip to the nearest brick-and-mortar location looking for something that isn't there. For a few retailers, the purchasing option may involve in-store delivery, rather than at-home.
As might be expected, the more options there are, the better, as far as many shoppers are concerned.
According to a recent study from comScore and UPS, 44 percent of online shoppers want to buy items online and then pick them up in the store. This preference stems partially from retailers offering free shipping to brick-and-mortar stores, while others choose the option because visiting the store is convenient for them.
While many shoppers will still want their products delivered to their door, those retailers that provide their customers additional options at the point of sale will be able to attract a wider range of customers than those merchants that limit themselves to home delivery.
