Virtual retailing is touted to have a bright future, Through virtual retailing; a seller comes directly into your home, at your convenience, and allows you to design your own personalized product and shopping experience. This sounds great No-High-pressure salespeople and no congested car parks. At a virtual retail site, you can take as much or as little time as you like to make up your own mind. And virtual retailing has made mass customization a reality. Select a product (e.g. clothing, shoes, and spectacles) and identify a company whose website allows you to customize its products. Visit the website of the company you have selected. a) How does virtual retailing compare with traditional shopping formats? What are the major advantages and disadvantages for consumers? b) Try to design your own product. Discuss the pros and cons of your experience. How would this experience be different from buying in a retail store? Would you be willing to purchase the item you designed? Why or why not?

Customers want to purchase specialty goods such as luxury bags or shoes at Macy’s and have come to expect assistance in every phase of the shopping process. Macy’s is a __________.

• What do you think is the challenge faced by omnichannel retailing? • What are the advantages over traditional retail models? • Do you have examples from your workplace or industry to share about this experience?

The retailing landscape has evolved over the last decade. More recently because of Pandemic restrictions around the world and widespread uptake of technology, everyone is shopping online more. There is a strong positive trend. Do you think this will continue? How do you see online retailing evolving in the short to long term? Be specific and give examples of which product categories are most likely to be affected.