What Gives Retailers a Competitive Edge?

One of the biggest examples of e-commerce retailers investing in physical stores is Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods.

DALLAS—Retailers are getting creative to bat back Amazon’s advances. Many have been successful by being nimble, forward-looking and willing to embrace changing consumer preferences, Todd Rollins, senior director–portfolio manager with TH Real Estate, tells GlobeSt.com.

Rollins says traditional retail stores will need to invest in e-commerce capabilities such as how Walmart did with its purchase of Jet.com. In addition, pure play e-commerce retailers should invest in physical stores to build brands and drive profitability. One of the biggest examples of this is Amazon’s purchase of Whole Foods and its opening of physical stores in order to provide the omni-channel retail experience consumers expect. Successful retailers that provide creative solutions for last-mile delivery such as online payment and in-store pick-up strategies are getting an edge.