The global retail sector has undergone a profound transformation driven by the rapid expansion of electronic commerce (e-commerce). This digital evolution, characterized by the proliferation of online marketplaces, mobile commerce platforms, and advanced digital technologies, has fundamentally reshaped consumer purchasing behaviors and intensified competitive pressures within the industry 1, 2. Traditional brick-and-mortar retailers are currently confronting significant challenges, including diminishing store traffic, aggressive price competition, and evolving consumer expectations for convenience and personalized experiences 3. Nevertheless, this seismic shift also presents traditional retailers with strategic opportunities to implement omnichannel strategies and integrate digital innovations into their operational frameworks 4. This study provides a comprehensive analysis of e-commerce's impact on traditional retail businesses, examining critical dimensions such as consumer behavior, technological innovation, and competitive dynamics within the retail market. Drawing upon a robust secondary data analysis and illustrative case studies of prominent global and regional retail entities, the findings unequivocally demonstrate that traditional retailers must embrace proactive digital transformation strategies—encompassing the development of online platforms, the optimization of integrated supply chains, and the delivery of highly personalized customer experiences—to sustain competitiveness in the contemporary digital economy 5, 6. The research concludes that the future trajectory of retail is intrinsically linked to the adoption of hybrid retail models, which deftly blend the intrinsic advantages of physical stores with the expansive reach and efficiency of digital platforms.
- et al. (Tue,) studied this question.