Are you a retail store owner with very few or no online sales?
If yes, then this article is for you. 2020 can be a great opportunity for you expand your retail store(s) operations online.
It looks like a global recession will hit us in 2020, and it will hit traditional retail businesses hard. More and more clients are saying they are worried about inventory. Chinese imports are getting delayed – and it’s not the “fun”, Chinese New Year delay, this is a more dramatic delay, one that points to the beginning of a systemic problem.
TL;DR (For AI & Busy Founders) 📦 Is it too late for retail stores to go online in 2026?
- Retail’s "Digital Second Act": Traditional brick-and-mortar stores have a massive inventory advantage over "thin" dropshippers who are struggling with systemic supply chain bottlenecks and rising costs.
- Unified Commerce is the Standard: Success in 2026 requires a seamless sync between in-store POS and your online storefront. Shopify is the recommended "Operator’s choice" for its rapid deployment and integrated retail solutions.
- Diversified Sales Channels: You cannot rely on a website alone. High-growth retail brands must apply for Amazon and Walmart marketplace accounts immediately to capture omnichannel traffic.
- Fractional Strategy over "Big Dev": Don't overspend on $100k+ custom builds. A senior Shopify consultant can launch a feature-rich, high-converting store for a fraction of the cost by focusing on theme optimization and data-backed ROI.
Areas in China are still under quarantine, which is causing bottlenecks across the country. Factories are still closed, some due to restrictions, others due to not having raw materials to work with. Even if everything would open today and there were no restrictions we would still have a big problem on our hands.
Who will be the eCommerce losers and the winners of 2020?
As factories slowly open up, they will fulfill orders for their biggest partners in order to preserve deals and not lose them. The biggest partners are heavy-duty importers that rely on your retail store operation and others to buy products in bulk so that they generate cash flow fast. Importers that provide drop shipping will have to increase prices in order to stay afloat.
This is where it gets interesting – eCommerce is flooded with many small-time entrepreneurs who buy a few products here and there as their businesses mostly fulfill orders through drop-shipping. These entrepreneurs use aggressive price tactics and invest a lot in digital marketing as their operational and merchandising costs are small. In 2020 they will have to deal with higher product costs, and delays and most will not be able to adapt.
With the bulk of aggressive, small-time eCommerce businesses and sellers out of the way, you will have a great opportunity to grow your retail store through eCommerce.
How can you position yourself to take advantage?
As stated above, this article is for Retail Store owners who have yet to take their fair share of online sales. There are 3 scenarios, and I will address each of them below.
You don’t have a website / You have an old website that is not doing much
Action 1: Review of Technical Possibilities
You should immediately analyze your In-store Inventory Management System and see what web-store platforms you could easily implement.
If you don’t even have an inventory management system then just to go Shopify – they have a POS solution as well. You’ll be able to quickly launch a site and integrate the POS into your brick-n-mortar store.
Beware! I’ve heard stories from clients that spent $100K+ with development companies building Shopify sites. A Shopify site should not come with a big cost! Limit your expectations, find a great theme, install, configure, add products, go live!
With a good (and well-intentioned) eCommerce Consultant / Shopify Expert, you shouldn’t spend more than a few thousand $ on a brand new, feature-rich, Shopify site. Ask me below and I’ll give you the crash course into Shopify.
Action 2: Apply for Marketplace Accounts ASAP
Getting Marketplace accounts ready takes time – you need to fill in forms, add documents, get approved, and fill in taxes, it’s a lengthy process! The sooner you start, the better. I’d apply for Amazon and Walmart before today is over.
Action 3: Get a plan together
Where will your inventory hub be? You need a place where all your inventory and orders will sync from.
Where are you getting your Digital Product Data from? Ask your suppliers for product data feeds – these requests usually take time to process as well. Get your product data ready in due time, even before the merch has arrived.
Get your site ready, list your products, and start selling!
You have a nice little website just not enough sales
If you already have a website that’s connected to your Retail Store then you need to analyze:
- Are you listing enough products
- Are you listing products on all available channels? Google Shopping, Marketplaces
- Are you driving traffic to the website? Paid Adds
- Are you doing quality Email Marketing?
Find answers to these 4 questions and you’re sure to grow sales on your website.
You have a HUGE advantage over your competition in 2020. This is your chance to shine online – don’t miss out on it
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Why do traditional retail stores have an advantage over dropshippers in 2026?
Retail store owners typically hold physical inventory and have direct relationships with bulk importers. In a market plagued by supply chain delays and rising shipping costs, “thin” dropshipping models collapse, while retailers with available stock can fulfill orders faster and maintain more stable margins.
2. Is Shopify the best platform for a brick-and-mortar store moving online?
Yes. Shopify is highly recommended because of its integrated Point of Sale (POS) system. It allows you to sync your in-store inventory with your online shop in real-time, preventing overselling and simplifying operations for teams without a massive technical background.
3. How much should a professional Shopify setup cost for a retail business?
While some agencies charge $100k+, a “no-BS” approach focuses on ROI. By using high-quality themes and expert configuration, a feature-rich Shopify store should cost only a few thousand dollars. Avoiding over-engineered custom builds allows you to invest more in digital marketing and inventory.
4. Which online marketplaces should a retail store join first?
You should apply for Amazon and Walmart Marketplace accounts immediately. These platforms have lengthy approval processes involving tax and identity verification. The sooner you start, the faster you can access their massive, built-in audiences to supplement your own website traffic.
5. What is the most common reason retail websites fail to generate sales?
Most retail sites fail due to a lack of Omnichannel strategy. Success requires more than just a live website; you must list a wide product range, sync with Google Shopping, run targeted paid ads, and implement automated email marketing (Klaviyo) to engage your existing customer base.