We have seen many brands that originated in the physical world migrate and expand in to the virtual world of online and succeed - supermarkets, travel agents, insurance brokers, even banks.
Is it possible the other way round though? I can't think of anyone who has done this yet and succeeded.
But perhaps that's because society hasn't been ready for this flip back to a real-time, hands-on approach. Perhaps we're all too busy enjoying the wonders of global, instant access, to be ready to jump in the car and drive to town for a piece of retail therapy.
Yet trends shows us that everything goes round in circles. And just may be, now is the right time. With high street units empty and agents desperate to fill them, now could be the right time for a virtual repositioning and online to enter the real-time arena.
With the likes of ASOS posting profits of 93% growth today (well-done ASOS!) perhaps they could become tomorrows TopShop? Think about it. A brand that has turned the fashion industry upside down, changed how we buy our clothes and even encouraged men to buy from an online catalogue - why not?!
We're not saying they simply need to open a store and it will be good times all round. Quite the opposite. But what if they were to approach designing a store in the same innovative way as they launched there website. What if they were to totally change the way we buy in store, what then?
Could they, and others do it? It's a massive challenge, but we'd love to make it work!
