During a challenging time for small businesses, NorthShoreShops.com has been introduced as a virtual shopping center to connect shoppers to small businesses. The Virtual Shopping District model was created to support small businesses on Chicago's North Shore and beyond, and it offers a simple way for shoppers to find and support local businesses.
The platform was inspired by the ease that eCommerce giants offer and it helps local-area merchants build awareness, get new customers and make sales. On the Virtual Shopping District, consumers land on a central website that offers one checkout experience for everything from goods and services to gift cards. As David Kelbaugh, NorthShoreShops.com founder, says "buying locally at-scale shouldn't be so difficult."
What's Driving This Trend
- Virtual Shopping Districts
- The rise of virtual shopping districts presents opportunities for small businesses to connect with customers online and streamline their checkout process.
- Ecommerce for Small Businesses
- Ecommerce platforms that allow small businesses to sell products and services online can help them reach a wider audience and increase sales.
- Localized Shopping
- Localized shopping experiences that connect consumers with small businesses in their community could help boost support for local economies.
Who This Affects Most
- Ecommerce
- Ecommerce platforms could benefit from developing tools and services specifically tailored to the needs of small businesses.
- Retail
- Retailers could explore partnerships with virtual shopping districts to expand their online presence and reach new customers.
- Local Economic Development
- Organizations focused on supporting local economies could collaborate with virtual shopping districts to promote small businesses and connect them with customers.
