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ALEXANDRIA — Inflation and residents’ increasing tax burdens are having an undeniable impact on the city’s downtown, but Amy McCurry still believes her hometown is an ideal place to do business. But I believe.
In fact, she recently doubled down on her commitment to the brick-and-mortar shopping experience by purchasing two additional buildings with a business partner to supplement the presence of her apparel store, McCurry Ocity Shop.
“The convenience[of online shopping]is on an order of magnitude,” she says. “We all know how convenient it is. But I think people still like coming into the store and trying things on, looking at them, and touching them.”
McCurry and other store owners say they are banking on growing sentiment that consumers are turning to online sources more than ever to check their Christmas gift lists, and will continue to do so for the rest of the year. It’s against me.
A recent report from online travel research firm Upgrade Points found that the decline of brick-and-mortar retail stores is accelerating, even though consumers are estimated to spend nearly $1 trillion in holiday spending nationwide this year. Pointed out.
Over the past 10 years, the number of brick-and-mortar stores per capita in Indiana has declined by 11.3%, according to the report. That number now equates to his 2.9 retail stores per 1,000 residents.
“I think we’re in a transition period (in shopping habits),” said Rob Sparks, executive director of the Madison County Economic Development Corporation. “Think about automobiles replacing horse-drawn carriages.” A guy who worked in horseshoes thought, “I don’t understand this automobile business, no one will do it.”
“Eventually, no one was playing horseshoes anymore, and everyone was driving cars and fixing tires.”
As the typical shopping experience is being reinvented, local experts point to related trends. The idea is that entrepreneurs are rethinking traditional storefront spaces and focusing on experiences rather than products.
“Brick-and-mortar stores are certainly changing,” said Ronnie Leeper, dean of Anderson University’s Falls School of Business. “I think what Madison County and Anderson specifically are doing is economic development work, actively building and encouraging small business entrepreneurship…in ways we don’t think of. I’m seeing some of the space in physical stores being utilized in a different way.” I thought this about 10 years ago. ”
Sparks said the trend toward experience-based shopping, or offering a variety of entertainment options to draw consumers to a central location for an extended period of time, is increasing at some malls and other former retail centers in the state. It was said that it was noticeable in the place where it was.
“People think about movie theaters, they think about restaurants and different food items that bring people in. They also think about grocery stores, which are centered around shopping malls and parts of strip areas where people regularly gather there. Even the stores,” he said. . “Then we supply food to several other stores that support the area.”
McCurry said that with the right selection of products, smart marketing and strong relationships within the community, brick-and-mortar businesses like hers can continue to thrive, especially in smaller communities like Alexandria. believe.
“A lot of people still like that experience of being able to spend the day with friends, go to lunch, go shopping. That’s how I grew up,” she said. . “I think this experience is still something that a lot of people want.”
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