Australian online retailer dStore makes a bold move from digital to physical with twelve stores planned for the Brisbane metro area.

Andrew Cooper, CEO, found that certain customers research online but still buy on the high street. dStore hopes to capitalise on this demographic, with a prototype physical store open by Christmas.

The online-to-physical move has been part of dStore’s vision from its beginnings, a decade ago. The stores will stock a select inventory with the full range available via in-store kiosks, for next-day delivery (to the store). dStore will mimic their online identity through the in-store fit out.

Cooper is firm that although the physical store is exciting, online is their core business:

“Were not going to bet the house on this. In fact he forecasts another 10% growth for this year, expecting a symbiosis between physical and online. Cooper believes, initially at least, the physical store will raise awareness of the online portal.

CEO of younger competitor DealsDirect.com, Simon West, commented that Australians are turning more and more to online shopping, especially in this economic climate of researching bargains.

One of the core drivers of growth has been retention with customers increasing both their spend and their frequency – its all about building trust.