Anchor Shops powered by ShopFulfill are being introduced as "the first vertically integrated retail storefront and distribution network designed to help digitally native brands thrive offline." These offline shops are designed to give online brands a brick-and-mortar presence, especially by being grouped with complementary in-store brands. At the same time, online-first brands have the chance to build a physical footprint and give consumers the chance to experience their products in person, perhaps for the first time ever.
The next-gen retail shops support brands with commerce fulfillment and buy-online-pick-up-in-store (BOPIS) services, plus other conveniences for customers that are not typically offered with physical retail stores.
The first Anchor Shops are set to open in 2020 in the United States.
Offline Digital Native Shops
Anchor Shops Give Digitally Native Brands a Brick-and-Mortar Presence
Trend Themes
1. Digitally Native Brands - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Explore partnerships with Anchor Shops to establish a brick-and-mortar presence and enhance brand visibility.
2. Vertical Integration - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop vertically integrated retail models that offer fulfillment services and BOPIS options to enhance customer convenience.
3. Online-to-offline Experience - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Create immersive in-store experiences that allow consumers to interact with products and bridge the gap between online and offline shopping.
Industry Implications
1. E-commerce - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Leverage Anchor Shops to help online brands expand their reach and connect with customers through physical retail.
2. Retail Technology - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Develop advanced retail technology solutions for Anchor Shops, such as fulfillment systems and seamless online-to-offline integration.
3. Brick-and-mortar Retail - Disruptive innovation opportunity: Embrace the partnership with Anchor Shops to revitalize brick-and-mortar stores by attracting digitally native brands and offering unique in-store experiences.