“Showrooming” — it's a growing challenge for brick-and-mortar retailers. Shoppers visit your store, browse your products in person, and then… pull out their phones and buy from someone else online.
If this scenario sounds familiar, you're not alone.
What Is Showrooming?
Showrooming is when customers use physical retail stores to evaluate products, only to complete their purchases online — often from competitors who offer better prices, more information, or added convenience.
This behavior erodes in-store conversion rates and eats into your bottom line.
Why Are Shoppers Turning to Their Phones?
The in-store environment no longer has a monopoly on product discovery. Here’s what’s really happening in your aisles:
- Price Comparison –Customers check if the product is cheaper online.
- Online Reviews – They seek social proof and real-user feedback.
- Product Research – Sometimes, your signage or staff don’t provide enough depth.
- Inventory Checks Elsewhere – If a size, color, or variant is missing, they check elsewhere.
- Perceived Convenience – Online checkout feels smoother or faster to them.
This friction — or lack of digital support in the store — causes many to abandon their cart right in front of the shelf.
The Cost of Showrooming for Retailers
Every time a shopper walks out empty-handed after checking their phone, it’s a missed opportunity. You’ve already done the hard work:
- You paid for foot traffic
- You provided real product access
- You staffed the store
But the sale still slips away — often due to a better digital experience found elsewhere.
How Retailers Can Fight Back
The good news? Showrooming isn’t inevitable. With the right tools, you can reclaim those lost sales and even turn mobile behavior into a competitive advantage.
Here’s how to fight back using real-time engagement and smart retail technologies:
- Limited-time in-store discounts
- Bundle offers with accessories or service add-ons
- Same-day pickup or installation offers
The Goal: Make Your Store as Convenient as the Internet
The reason showrooming wins is that online shopping feels easier, faster, and more informed. But with the right setup, your physical store can do all that — and more.
By combining digital tools with in-person service and exclusive perks, you turn mobile phone use into an ally rather than a threat.
Conclusion: Combat Showrooming and Boost Your Bottom Line
Showrooming isn’t going away — but it doesn’t have to kill your in-store sales. By blending smart digital signage, mobile integration, and targeted in-store campaigns, retailers can replicate the richness of the online experience and win back control of the sale.
Adapt. Engage. Convert. That’s how you protect your sales in a showrooming world.