More of what could be in store

● Globally, big online retailers are embracing physical stores in addition to their e-commerce platforms.

Amazon, the world’s largest e-commerce firm, opened its first physical book store, Amazon Books, in 2015 and since then has bought Whole Foods in a $13.4bn (R193.7bn) deal, bringing to the table 460 stores in the US, Canada and Britain. It also opened Amazon Go, the cashier-less grocery stores.

By accessing store space, Amazon can also reduce shipping costs and make it easier for customers to return products.

Smallbiztrends.com says online stores are bucking the digital trend they set in motion, retreating from higher advertising rates and heading back into physical stores where rents have dropped.

“Digital small businesses are following in the wake of their big competitors like Amazon and Shopify,” it said.

This includes French fashion retailer Spartoo, eyewear brand Warby Parker and menswear retailer Bonobos.

The move into physical stores alongside online ones has also been led by an online retailer of kitchen and homeware products, Yuppiechef.