June 11, 2019
Virtual Shop Space: The Amazon Shopping ‘Mall’
They say history is full of cycles. Retail history certainly is.
Back in the 1990s, there was much debate about whether a store should stay on the high street or move to a shopping centre out of town.
Both options had their benefits; the high streets were established and saw hundreds of visitors every day. The shopping centres were untested, but offered much more floor space for the same rent. This offered customers a more pleasant, relaxed shopping experience.
Both options also had their downsides. Shopping centres had to be reached by car, meaning fewer casual drop-in visitors whose spur-of-the moment purchases would add up over the course of a day. The high street would often have more competition within easy reach, and had to contend with high rent.
By 2010, online shopping had changed the game for both types. And the face of online shopping continues to evolve today.
A New Cycle
But the cycle has come round once again. This time, the decision for online retailers is different: Do you become an Amazon Seller or not?
Opinion is strongly divided. As an online retailer, you’ve definitely heard every argument made, every real and imaginary advantage and disadvantage. With so many different points being made by both sides, it’s easy to lose track of the big picture and be swamped in lists of pros and cons.
Surely there’s a way to keep your eyes on the big picture?
The Big Question
Don’t think about this like it’s 2019. Imagine it’s 1999, and the shopping centre revolution has been going on for a few years.
Picture your business as a high street shop. You can stay in your small shop with the high rents and the foot traffic – or you can go to the shopping centre.
You’ll have a different set of costs, but you’ll also have a growing market – and when that market walks through the door, there are signs in place to direct them to your products. Isn’t increased market share and the shopping platform directing customers to you enough incentive?
(Add in Amazon Sponsored Ads and you have the equivalent of shopping centre staff recommending your shop to visitors, ahead of your competition.)
The Answer
Shopping centres are alive and well today, while the high street struggles to stay above water. We’re sure you all know what you’d have done in 1999 if you knew what lay ahead.
This time around, you can maintain your own online store, if you want, while still getting a presence as an Amazon Seller. This time around, you don’t have to place all your eggs in one basket.
So – should you be selling on Amazon?
If you’re not sure you want to spend the time learning to master Amazon Seller Central, Cloud Seller Pro has an alternative offer for you. We can manage your Amazon Seller account and the Amazon Sponsored Ads campaign that will help it to grow market share and outperform the competition. Get in touch to find out more.