Core Viewpoint - The future of traditional brick-and-mortar stores is bleak unless they adapt and transform, as the trend towards e-commerce is inevitable [2][3]. Group 1: Challenges Facing Brick-and-Mortar Stores - The decline of physical stores is attributed to two main factors: high rent and the rise of e-commerce [5]. - The closing rate of physical stores in China is projected to reach 37% by 2025, with an average of 28 stores shutting down every hour [7]. - The physical presence of stores is increasingly seen as an unnecessary cost, with only a few surviving stores likely to become luxury experiences in the future [7]. Group 2: E-commerce Growth - By 2024, the number of online shopping users in China is expected to reach 974 million, accounting for 87.9% of internet users [7]. - The shift from traditional retail to online shopping is also observed in Japan, where the e-commerce market is projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 14.3% from 2025 to 2030 [7]. Group 3: Need for Adaptation - There is a call for support to help traditional store owners transition from outdated business models, rather than solely blaming e-commerce for their struggles [5]. - The concept of combining online sales with offline experiences is suggested, but the advent of AI may render even these experiences redundant [7].