Core Insights - The rise of e-commerce since 2015 has significantly impacted traditional brick-and-mortar retail, leading to increased challenges for physical stores as younger consumers prefer shopping via mobile devices [1] Group 1: Consumer Behavior - Despite an increase in foot traffic to physical stores, the conversion rate of visitors to buyers remains low, particularly in clothing stores where customers often try on items but leave without purchasing [3] - The phenomenon of consumers "browsing without buying" can be attributed to three main factors [3] Group 2: Pricing and Costs - Physical stores generally have higher prices compared to online platforms due to substantial costs such as rent, inventory, and labor, making it difficult to compete on price [5] - Many consumers visit physical stores to select items but ultimately purchase them online at lower prices, using their mobile devices to capture images of products [5] Group 3: Return Policies - The return and exchange processes in physical stores are often cumbersome, with some stores not allowing returns at all, which discourages purchases [5] - In contrast, e-commerce platforms offer convenient return services, reducing consumer anxiety about potential regrets after a purchase [5] Group 4: Shopping Experience - Poor shopping experiences in physical stores, such as aggressive sales tactics and unfriendly staff, can deter consumers from making purchases [7] - Online shopping provides a more comfortable environment where consumers can browse without encountering negative interactions, further driving them towards e-commerce [7] Group 5: Recommendations for Physical Stores - To combat these challenges, physical retailers need to focus on reducing procurement costs and enhancing the overall shopping experience [7] - Providing exceptional customer service and a unique shopping experience can help physical stores highlight their advantages over e-commerce, despite the latter's price competitiveness [7]