rss

Re-Inventing Retail

From the Co-Founders of The Retail Owners Institute.
Tips | Tactics | Insights on the Business of Retailing.

3-D Printers Need 3-D Retailers Bookmark

Specify Alternate Text

You’ve heard about 3D printers, right? They are computer devices that use a blueprint (a “digital model”) of an object and produce (“print”) one or more copies of that object by painstakingly building up layer after layer of its form. 

Essentially anything that is manufactured can be replicated, one by one, with a 3-D printer!

And, be ready. It is coming to a store near you very soon. Shouldn't it be your store?

Initially, 3-D printers were used in manufacturing to rapidly develop prototypes of new products, or by physicians and surgeons to plan reconstructive surgery. 

Their use continues to expand into other very customized applications: foods (chocolates, candy, crackers, pasta, pizza) and fashion (3D-printed bikinis, shoes, dresses).

However, in April 2017, a London-based publication reported that Adidas is now using new materials in 3D printing, and has set its sights on the mass market. 

“Adidas initially plans batches of shoes tailored to specific sports or cities but hopes consumers will eventually be measured and tested in store to design perfectly-fitting shoes tweaked for an individual’s gait, weight and type of sport.”

Ahh yes. There’s the key for retailers: “…measured and tested in store.” 

The success of this "mass customization" of 3D printing will depend on retailers delivering one-on-one customer service. The very competitive edge that specialty retailers can magnify. And that is the real opportunity for specialty retailers.

Likely there is no manufactured product category that is immune from 3D replication. (Yes, there are 3D knitted sweaters. And firearms….) It is only a matter of time. 

But remember, the ultimate success of 3D printing will depend on "3D retailers in 3D stores."


So we encourage you to start now.
Consider how a service like this could be delivered in your stores, giving you yet another competitive edge. 

What different skill sets might you need on your sales staff? How might that affect your upcoming new hires?

3D printing is here now, and customers will soon become more familiar with it. Now is the time to get out in front of this trend!



Comments are closed.

Showing 0 Comment

About The Co-Founders

Pat Johnson and Dick Outcalt, The Co-Founders of The Retail Owners Institute®, have been called "The Zen masters of retail finance!"

Since 1999, they have been assembling  their proprietary content into a unique self-help website. The Retail Owners Institute is an unmatched resource that assists retailers worldwide with basic financial training, assistance and easy-to-use tools.

Their engaging and empowering how-to resources about the financial levers in retailing are informative, fun(!), and retailer-friendly. Their promise: "Everyone will 'get it'!"

Pat and Dick are recognized experts in strategic retailing. Working only as a team – Outcalt & Johnson: Retail Strategists, LLC – they have been consulting, publishing, and speaking professionally throughout North America since 1990.

They focus exclusively on retail, or wherever retail is involved. They work with CEOs, CFOs, boards and owners of retail operations, as well as manufacturers or wholesalers expanding into retail. And they also are Retail Turnaround Experts.


Since 1999, empowering retailers and store owners to "Turn on your financial headlights!"