#local-retail

#local-retail

This bifurcation, according to Stern, is at the separation of commodity buying and experience-based shopping. On the one hand, if someone wants a commodity item or a widely available brand, almost any store will do. A shopper might ask ChatGPT to order more Tide laundry detergent, and not care who sells it. What matters is getting Tide delivered quickly at a low price.

This shift means that having a strong digital footprint is no longer optional, it's essential for growth. But the challenge for small businesses is clear: how do you stand out online when competing against big-box chains with bigger budgets, established websites, and in-house marketing teams? The answer lies in leveraging strategic media exposure, targeted SEO, and trusted publications that rank on Google's first page.