Online information, in-store shopping

The operators of DIY stores have the highest potential of all the retail branches when it comes to profiting through sales in their static business from the virtual investigations of their customers. This forecast comes from the market research company Jupiter Media Metrix. An example of this is provided by Home Depot with its online “kitchen & bath design center”, a tool that allows customers to plan their bathroom or kitchen on the internet. They have a choice of more than 75 furnishing ideas in a variety of styles which allows them to put together their individual plan. The result is then shown onscreen. The idea is that the customer should go to the nearest Home Depot for an advisory session, after having printed out the products selected.