Online Store vs. Brick-and-Mortar Store

1. Online sales are growing significantly each year as transferring money online becomes easier and more secure.
2. Online stores cost less to operate and can be managed out of the home.
3. Online stores have far greater reach because they can be viewed on a global scale.
If you were going to open a store, would you rather make an online store or build a store? What are the benefits of shopping online vs. brick and mortar stores? Do you think that brick and mortar stores will eventually be a thing of the past?

-I would not want to do one or the other. I would want to do both. Having a physical store gives you a presence in the neighborhood and just feels more legitimate. Now this would have to make sense monetarily. If it was too expensive to pay for the physical store then online would be the way to go.

-If I was forced to choose one it would be online. The main issue would be paying rent, utilities, renovations, and upkeep of a physical store. Not paying for all this would free up quite a bit of equity. You would be more dependant on a reliable Internet connection and a quality computer. Being online not only gives your business greater reach but you aren't limited by store hours. People can shop online at anytime they choose and don't have to wait for a store top open. You could also not worry about shop lifters and worry less about getting robbed.

-Brick-and-mortar stores will not go extinct because there are some products that you just don't make sense to buy online. Corner stores that sell beverages, food, cigarettes, and the like just don't make sense online. Nor do gas stations.