In a move to get the idea of participating in physical locations in the minds of online retailers, Gordon Group Holdings via its brand The Epicenter Collection has partnered with Federated Department Stores to anchor their first location.
In exchange for anchoring the first Epicenter, Federated received equity in the company.
As their Web site says, "Epicenter merchants can keep inventory on hand for take home purchasing, or "showcase" their entire range for at home delivery. The Epicenter Collection allows you the flexibility to interact with your customers in the way you want. Finally, win-win retailing for you and them."
The concept is to offer consumers a variety of methods of shopping. They can shop with a hand-held device called SpreeGo or with touch screen kiosks. With those that offer it, consumers can also shop for items stocked in the stores to take home at the time, or with mobile shopping assistants.
The first Epicenter will open in Delaware sometime in the middle of 2008. It will include 181,000 square feet at the Christiana Mall.
If it works good for them, they plan on opening 100 Epicenters over the next several years.
This is a growing trend that isn't for the purpose of filling up physical stores with merchandise, but just enough for ideas and proper clothing and accessory fits so it will drive consumers back to the Web site.
There area a lot of different things being tried at this time, and it looks like this is definitely going to be part of the online retailing future.
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