Despite Growth in Online Retail, Many Prefer Experience of Local Stores

Doing business in State College since the 1960s, Music Mart offers its customers instruments, studio equipment, music and more.

And while shopping online can be more convenient, manager Jason Adams says customers may be missing something when they search, click and pay on the web.

‘You don’t have the experience and the product knowledge,’ Adams said. ‘You’re not getting someone who knows all the products here saying, ‘Yeah, this is the best thing for you.”

Music Mart keeps up with the latest trends and products, and Adams isn’t worried about cybershopping cutting into the business too much.

‘Things are going to stay the way they are here as far as the local store is concerned because people in town are coming here,’ he said.

Nationally, online shopping keeps growing stronger. The National Retail Federation estimated online sales growth of 8 to 12 percent this year, three times higher than the overall industry, which still sees the vast majority of its sales from brick-and-mortar stores. Still, many prefer the experience of going to the store and buying in person. Younger consumers in particular like the experience. A survey by CBRE Group found 70 percent of Millennials would prefer in-person retail.

‘It’s the atmosphere,’ said Music Mart customer Nicholas Gaylor. ‘I get to meet with Jason … You get to hang out, play guitar. Everyone talks to you, shows you what you want. It’s a great time. You don’t get that online at all.’

Centre County Report’s Mayra Gomez has more.

This video is produced by and for Centre County Report and shared through a partnership with StateCollege.com