Is In-Person Shopping Coming Back
Are people shopping in person again? The answer is yes, and here is why small businesses should take notice.
Foot traffic is on the rise
Communities of all sizes are seeing customers return to stores, markets, and local vendors. After years of online shopping, people are craving real-life experiences and feel more confident when they shop in person.
Shoppers want experiences, not just products
Retailers offering pop-ups, demos, samples, or holiday-themed events are seeing higher engagement. Experiential shopping is a major draw. People want to browse, touch, try on, taste, and talk to staff.
Local shopping is growing
Consumers are actively choosing local businesses over big box stores. Personalized service, unique offerings, and community connection give small businesses a huge advantage.
Online frustrations are driving people in-store
Long shipping times, returns, sizing issues, and impersonal interactions push customers back to physical stores. Especially around the holidays, shoppers want to see and take home items immediately.
In-person builds trust
Face-to-face interactions create credibility and make customers more likely to buy. Personalized recommendations often lead to larger purchases.
Social media drives in-store visits
Trending products, Reels, and TikToks inspire people to visit local businesses. Online discovery and offline buying are working hand in hand.
Small businesses can take advantage
Highlight in-store exclusives
Share behind-the-scenes Reels
Promote extended hours or holiday events
Use Google Business Profile posts to show up in “near me” searches
Post customer testimonials from in-store experiences
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