Costco on the East side

[HereOnThePrimalEdge]

In five years (according to IBM) this discussion may be a moot point. Big Blue just released their 5 in 5 list, 5 things they predict will happen within 5 years. One forecast says that buying local at a bricks & mortar store will beat online purchasing, and by extension the one-size-fits-all big box stores. The small Mom & Pop stores will regain the advantage thanks to technology:

"But over the next five years, local stores and shops will flip the javascript by giving us an immersive, mixed real and virtual experience. And being local will become increasingly important as shoppers demand the instant gratification of their purchases. Two day shipping will feel like snail mail when a local store can offer customers a variety of fast pick-up or delivery options, wherever they are."

http://www.research.ibm.com/cognitive-co...p1_zd_YGSY