Even as more retail purchases are made online, it is the brick-and-mortar stores that will win out in the end, said Toys "R" Us Chairman Jerry Storch.
Storch said retail stores are becoming mini-distribution centres for the internet. That trend will grow even more as retailers put in place "buy online, pick up in store" programs like Toys "R" Us has done.
This new reality also will require brick-and-mortar retailers to hire more workers to provide these new services, according to Storch. This suggests that although retailers are hiring more workers for the holidays, it may be more a reflection of what is going on at the business rather than optimistic views about the economy.
(Source: CNBC)