Pier 1 exits eComm

This week Pier 1 announced their exit from the eCommerce space. Their statements referenced a need to focus on the core business, leading them to shutter a number of side interests. But, in an increasingly eCommerce-focused marketplace, the decision definitely leaves open a number of questions - chief among them:

• Is this a harbinger of a larger online challenge to the home/furniture marketplace?
• Can brands with a heavy emphasis on the in-store experience recreate the all-important social / browsing experience online?
• Is the heavy entry into ecommerce overall due for correction?

What do you think?

Comments

[Susan Gunelius (MarketingBlurb.com)]

This is a great poll that shows Pier 1's problems run much deeper than whether or not they sell products on the internet. I referenced your post at MarketingBlurb today at:

http://www.marketingblurb.com/2007/07/pier_1_imports_exits_ecommerce.html