Retail shopping on wheels

How retail trailers are changing window and online shopping

“Don’t talk to strangers.”

It’s an age-old piece of advice that parents tell their children. In today’s world of technology, we’re clearly dismissing it. Technology has made us more trusting, or at least we’re more optimistic. We get in strangers’ cars to run errands. We let newcomers into our homes to walk our dogs. We invite outsiders in to hang out at our residences for their vacations. We even let unknown people unpack our groceries.

Still, though, we do raise an eyebrow at some things. Ironically, many of us are still skeptical about anything that doesn’t breathe (ex. apparel). We want to see, feel and test out clothes, shoes, makeup, furniture and more before we’re willing to bring them home. Sometimes we use pay-you-later options just so we can send the product back if we don’t like it. Online shoppers often zoom in on refund/exchange policies and warranty agreements, already plotting a Plan B. We just don’t trust products without getting familiar with them first.

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Recommended Read: “WeWork for Retail: Physical Spaces Where Convenience Shopping Comes to Work”

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So how can startups with new products figure out a way to get their products to people’s homes when malls and retail stores are struggling to do it? How can independent retail shops get their products invited in as easily as vacationers, ride-sharing drivers, dog walkers and grocery delivery people? One way is to find customers where they are instead of trusting that they’ll find lesser known products online or in a store.