Expanding from online to offline business

I am a small stakeholder in a small internet shop which sells
electronics (tv's, audio systems, etc.), washing machines and
refridgerators.
Considering the fact that we did not start up until approx. 6 months
ago, we are not doing too bad. However, a considerable percentage of
our online customers prefers to pick up their product rather than
waiting for our delivery service to deliver it at their homes. So,
basically they would like us to add pick-up centres (or you can call
it brick & mortar stores).
Since I am no expert at all in the field of e-commerce I have the
following questions for the experts in this group:

1. Is it a wise thing to add brick & mortar shops or should we make a
deal with, for example a chain of non-related (i.e. not selling
electronics, etc.) retail stores to act as our showrooms/pick-up
centres? Or do you have another suggestion?
2. According to your experience is this wish of our customers normal?
3. Will adding these stores/pick-up centres in principle be beneficial
in terms of creating value for our business?
4. Is there a general strategy with respect to the combination of
online and offline business that we should follow if we put the
creation of value as the top priority for our company?

Thank you in advance for your views/advice.

Sincerely,
Robet

Does nobody have any thoughts on this? Is this the right group for such questions?

Thanks
Robert


info.DeleteThis@inversioncapital.com (Robert) wrote in message news:<c865665a.0504220941.46f9b5ba.DeleteThis@posting.google.com>...
 > I am a small stakeholder in a small internet shop which sells
 > electronics (tv's, audio systems, etc.), washing machines and
 > refridgerators.
 > Considering the fact that we did not start up until approx. 6 months
 > ago, we are not doing too bad. However, a considerable percentage of
 > our online customers prefers to pick up their product rather than
 > waiting for our delivery service to deliver it at their homes. So,
 > basically they would like us to add pick-up centres (or you can call
 > it brick & mortar stores).
 > Since I am no expert at all in the field of e-commerce I have the
 > following questions for the experts in this group:
 >
 > 1. Is it a wise thing to add brick & mortar shops or should we make a
 > deal with, for example a chain of non-related (i.e. not selling
 > electronics, etc.) retail stores to act as our showrooms/pick-up
 > centres? Or do you have another suggestion?
 > 2. According to your experience is this wish of our customers normal?
 > 3. Will adding these stores/pick-up centres in principle be beneficial
 > in terms of creating value for our business?
 > 4. Is there a general strategy with respect to the combination of
 > online and offline business that we should follow if we put the
 > creation of value as the top priority for our company?
 >
 > Thank you in advance for your views/advice.
 >
 > Sincerely,
 > Robet<!-- ~MESSAGE_AFTER~ -->