The shift in consumer behaviour over the past four years, heightened by extended lockdowns, has dramatically changed how people shop. Even though restrictions were lifted, many remain reluctant to physically explore what local stores have to offer, preferring instead the convenience of online shopping.
Consumers now expect to find out everything online before making a purchase, including what items stores carry, pricing details, and return policies.
This shift presents a unique challenge for local retailers: they must enhance their digital presence to meet these new consumer expectations.
Accessibility and Information Shortfalls
The need for a robust local search engine has never been clearer. Without one, local businesses miss the chance to connect with their market digitally, leading consumers to revert to the familiarity of national chains where information and purchasing options are just a click away.
This pits local retailers against national chains who spend millions marketing so consumers feel they know, like and trust them.
Even enthusiastic supporters of local businesses hesitate when they can’t find reliable reviews or detailed product information. According to consumers, the lack of comprehensive online reviews and unclear return policies can make shopping locally feel riskier than it should.
Economic and Marketing Challenges
There is a general misconception that buying locally is more expensive. Combined with the difficulty marketing to local consumers, local businesses struggle to showcase the value they bring to the community.
Transparency in pricing and policies, alongside the ability to reach the full local marketplace, could help shift consumer perceptions and habits back towards local shopping.
A Call to Action for Retailers
Local retailers must adapt quickly to these evolving shopping habits by bolstering their online interfaces and ensuring their offerings are easily searchable and competitively priced.
By doing so, they can recapture the interest of their community, proving that local shopping can be just as convenient as shopping with large online retailers.
We Choose Local: Making Shopping Local Easy
As shopping behaviours evolve, We Choose Local emerges as the perfect solution for both consumers and local retailers.
Our platform is designed to meet the new consumer demand for online accessibility and information, providing a robust digital presence for local stores.
This includes detailed product listings, competitive pricing, and transparent return policies all in one place.
For local retailers, We Choose Local offers a chance to reclaim their market share by connecting them directly with their community, enhancing their visibility, and boosting local commerce. Together, let’s make shopping local not just a choice, but a lifestyle.
