Across the country, fashionistas, hair stylists and even florists are gutting old delivery-type trucks and turning them into decked-out mobile stores, avoiding the overhead costs associated with brick-and-mortar retail and bringing consumers in cities including Austin, Texas, Los Angeles, Calif., Portland, Ore., New York City and Boston, Mass. a new and more personal way to shop, according to USA Today. For the full story, click here.
Editor’s Insight: This marks an extension of the gourmet food truck to non-food product categories. It was only a matter of time before non-food retailers saw the opportunity.
As with food trucks, these retailers are offering products with high perceived value with the added benefit of convenience. Convenience has become the biggest driver of value.
Mobile retail presents a double edged sword for traditional convenience formats such as convenience stores and vending machines. On one hand, they bring new competition. On the other hand, they educate consumers that convenience need not compromise quality. 06-26-12 By Elliot Maras
