The Future of Brick-and-Mortar in an E-Commerce-Driven Supply Chain

Alan D. Smith ()
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Alan D. Smith: Robert Morris University, Department of Marketing

Chapter Chapter 7 in Digital Transformation of Supply Chains, 2026, pp 169-189 from Springer

Abstract: Abstract This chapter explores the evolving retail landscape, highlighting the impact of the pandemic on consumer preferences and the resulting gap between e-commerce companies. Amazon and more traditional brick-and-mortar stores like Walmart particularly highlight the strengths of each model, with e-commerce excelling in convenience and broad product availability, while brick-and-mortar stores leverage in-person experiences and immediate customer interaction. The analysis uncovers the need for brick-and-mortar stores to adapt and innovate to remain competitive. To close this gap, solutions are proposed. These include enhancing point-of-sale technology, prioritizing engaging in-store experiences, optimizing convenience models, focusing on customer service, and strengthening supplier relationships. Ultimately, closing this gap is crucial for the sustained success of both retail models, but especially brick-and-mortar.

Keywords: Automatic identification and data capture; Brick-and-click; Brick-and mortar; Digital technology; Digital twins; e-Commerce; Supply chain management (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2026
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DOI: 10.1007/978-3-032-01206-7_7

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