While the 2024 holiday shopping season data revealed an 8.7% increase in sales compared to last year and a notable surge in mobile shopping, an untold story is the growing consumer preference for local retail. According to Locally's real-time network of over 55,000 retailers worldwide, 71% of consumers preferred local retailers and nearly 50% of online shoppers abandoned carts when a local pickup wasn't an option.

When shopping for a musical instrument, the convenience of online shopping might seem tempting. However, there's a strong case for choosing to buy from a local music store instead. From expert guidance to personalized service and community support, local retailers offer invaluable benefits that online marketplaces simply can't match. With the help of Locally's innovative tools, finding and purchasing your perfect instrument from a nearby store has never been easier.

The 2024 Bicycle Consumer Report provides valuable insights that align closely with Locally’s services, particularly in bridging the gap between online product research and in-store purchases.

The customer journey has evolved significantly from the traditional linear funnel to an intricate web of digital and physical touchpoints. Today, consumers interact with brands across various channels—social media, online search, in-store experiences, and third-party websites—before making a purchase decision. A recent study by EMARKETER.com and impact.com surveyed over 1,000 US adults to better understand these patterns and uncover actionable strategies for brands.

For brands looking to thrive in the modern retail environment, embracing online-to-offline shopping is essential. By offering robust digital tools that connect shoppers to local stores, brands can serve as the definitive marketplaces for their products. This strategy not only enhances customer satisfaction but also fosters long-term partnerships with independent retailers, preserving local ecosystems while meeting the demands of tech-savvy consumers.

For avid skiers and snowboarders, there’s nothing worse than needing gear mid-trip and not knowing where to find it. Whether it’s upgrading to a warmer jacket or replacing a forgotten pair of gloves, 686.com has taken this challenge head-on by leaning into local shopping. Through Locally’s Product Locator, 686 is connecting travelers and skiers with nearby retailers that stock their sought-after products—making mountain-side shopping a breeze.

Mike Massey, owner of Massey’s Outfitters in New Orleans, developed Locally, a platform that enables consumers to research products online and purchase them from nearby retailers. This innovation addresses the challenge local stores face in competing with e-commerce giants by integrating real-time inventory data, allowing customers browse inventory at local shops and place orders for pickup rather than shipment.

We started Locally 10+ years ago to give local stores presence in a world of increasingly-connected shoppers who do most of their product research online.

The goal was never to disrupt DTC efforts that brands had just started to undertake. We had always seen brand-direct and local wholesale as complimentary; understanding that optimizing one was the best opportunity to optimize the other.

For music enthusiasts, the joy of finding the perfect instrument goes beyond convenience—it’s about the experience. Yamaha Music, a global leader in musical instruments, has elevated this process with the launch of their “Find It Locally” initiative. Powered by Locally’s Store and Product Locators, this new tool connects online shoppers with nearby retailers, creating a seamless shopping journey that bridges the digital and physical worlds.

Whether you’re shopping for a new grill, stocking up on wood pellets, or looking for accessories to elevate your outdoor cooking game, Traeger’s Store Locator and Product Locator make the process seamless and satisfying. Head to Traeger.com to try these tools for yourself and enjoy the perfect blend of online convenience and local accessibility.

NEW ORLEANS (September 16, 2024) – Locally, the leading technology provider bridging online and offline retail serving 1,000 brands and over 47,000 retailers, today announced three new retailers joining its network making it easier for consumers to gear up for fall: Anton Sport, Pro Bike+ Run, and West Marine. These strategic partnerships give consumers access to real-time inventory making it easy to find and purchase products from their favorite brands at their local retailer. 

The article on the United States Buy Online, Pick Up In-Store (BOPIS) market analysis report highlights several key trends and projections for this retail strategy. The BOPIS market is expected to experience substantial growth, with projections indicating it will reach approximately $440.39 billion by 2032, growing at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 16.45% from $111.84 billion in 2023.

Work World, Whistle Workwear, and Willy’s Discount Workwear have partnered with Locally, a platform that connects local retailers with nearby customers looking to purchase in-stock items for local pickup. This collaboration aims to provide a seamless shopping experience by surfacing in-stock inventory on their suppliers’ websites and facilitating sales referrals for these products.

In an era where convenience and accessibility are paramount, No Boundaries Sport, a renowned bike, running, and outdoor gear shop in Florida, has taken a significant step forward by partnering with Locally. This move not only expands their reach but also enhances the shopping experience for their customers. Here’s a look into how this collaboration started and what it means for both the company and its customers.

Pro Bike + Run is partnering with Locally, an innovative platform that facilitates online-to-offline shopping, Pro Bike + Run is capitalizing on a unique opportunity to receive sales referrals directly from their brand suppliers' websites. This collaboration not only drives sales but also supports local economies by connecting customers with their nearest store locations.

Store owners once viewed e-commerce as a mounting threat to their survival. Now, more bricks-and-mortar stores are thriving after integrating their properties with the online shopping experience.

Shoppers browse in person to see, touch or try on items before ordering them online. They are picking up or returning purchases in stores. And retailers are increasingly relying on their shops as fulfillment hubs, shipping items ordered online from store stockrooms in addition to warehouses.

Overall, nearly 42% of e-commerce orders last year involved stores, up from about 27% in 2015, according to research firm GlobalData.

Main Street businesses — those with less than $10 million in annual revenues and some sort of physical presence — are, in many ways, the engines of the U.S. economy. PYMNTS Intelligence’s Main Street Index finds steady growth in key regions dating back to 2019.