I grew up in a small town. Of course, we had stores, but for a lot of stuff, products came from a larger city. Because of small towns, catalogs were created to bring merchandise to customers in rural areas. Catalogs are also a straightforward example of multichannel retail. The main focus of multichannel retail is getting your products in front of customers.
Simply, multichannel retail is a business strategy that utilizes different distribution channels to sell merchandise. It helps businesses connect with consumers online and in-person through brick-and-mortar stores, e-commerce, online marketplaces, and social media.
Using multichannel methods can allow your business to accomplish the following objectives:
Provide flexibility in shopping options for your customers
Reach a broader and broader audience
Receive data that will enable you to see what platforms shoppers prefer