»  Shoppercentricity

Simple question right?

Has your answer to that question changed or evolved in the past 5 years? If not, it is time to reconsider what a retailer in 2011 really is.

A retailer is a seller.
A retailer is a brand.
A retailer is a manufacturer.
A retailer is a realtor.
A retailer is a marketer.
A retailer is an entertainer.
A retailer is a media network.

The list is by no means exhaustive and will continue to grow as retailers continue to evolve. Need proof? Best Buy just launched their own network called On. It will have in-store and online reach and with an ability to reach over 1 billion consumers a year, it has tremendously broad implications. 

The role of a retailer in 2011 is definitely different than it was in 2001 and will be different than it was in 2010. If you haven't evolved your view or approach to retail, you need to. It is time to look at retailers differently.