Choosing the right business platform on which to launch your new company is a decision that you don’t want to make lightly. There are all sorts of factors that you’ll need to consider before deciding which option is best.
Once you’ve decided between opening an online store or a brick and mortar store, you can then start the process to apply for a wholesale permit in Texas. Here are four pivotal differences that you need to know about before deciding.
1. Accessibility
We live in a highly digital world where consumers want products available at their fingertips at all times. One of the most important differences between an online store and a brick and mortar business is accessibility.
Online stores are available 24/7, 365 days a year, which means that consumers can shop at any time from anywhere. On the other hand, brick and mortar stores are only available to shoppers during store hours, which can be limiting for people with non-traditional 9-5 work hours.
2. Convenience
Online stores are as convenient as shopping can get. Consumers can shop using any connected device, and there’s no limit as to when or where they can shop. While most online stores only ship products during a set timeframe (i.e., when the post office is open), online stores allow customers to shop when they want.
Brick and mortar stores are much less convenient. Not only are shoppers limited to when they can shop based on store hours, but there are also tons of other inconveniences, including:
- Travel time to get to the store
- Long checkout lines
- Crowds
Because of the inconveniences that brick and mortar stores present, it’s no surprise that 76% of U.S. consumers shop online.
3. Product Availability
Product availability can be hit or miss in both online and brick and mortar stores. The biggest difference is that online stores are often much better at notifying shoppers when a certain product will be back in stock. Most online retailers provide a restocking date or allow consumers to sign up for an alert when the product is back in stock.
Getting product availability information at a brick and mortar store can be much more difficult. Sales representatives are often unable to tell customers when an item will be back in stock.
Another sticking point with product availability in a traditional store is that customers may travel to the store only to find that the product they wanted is out of stock. This can be frustrating and extremely inconvenient for shopping.
4. Product Returns
One benefit that brick and mortar stores do offer over online stores is the product return process. When you purchase an item from a traditional store and need to return it, you simply head back to the store and return the item with a receipt. You’re then refunded the purchase price of the item.
Items that were purchased online often have a more difficult return process. Products need to be boxed and sent back with a shipping label. The return process can take a few days, depending on how far the package needs to travel. This means that your refund isn’t automatic. There are also other risks, including packages getting lost or incorrectly routed.
Apply for Your Wholesale Permit Today!
Whether you choose to run an online store, a brick and mortar business, or a combination of both, you want to make sure that you’ve covered all of your legal bases. If you live or plan to operate your business in the Lone Star state, you’ll need to apply for a Texas wholesale permit.
At FastFilings, we make getting a wholesale permit a breeze. Simply provide information about your business on our easy-to-fill-out form, and we do the rest! Soon enough, you’ll have your wholesale permit in hand so that you can get down to business.