clicks and bricks

Meaning

1. 1phrasefixed phrase

   A business approach that serves customers through both physical stores and an online shop.

   Grammar: Used as a noun phrase or, with hyphens, before another noun: a clicks-and-bricks retailer.

   Patterns

   • a clicks-and-bricks business
   • a clicks-and-bricks strategy
   • go clicks and bricks

   The supermarket chain has moved to a clicks-and-bricks model, keeping its high-street shops while growing its online delivery service.

   Investors liked the clicks-and-bricks approach because customers could order on the website and collect the same day.

   Many small booksellers now describe themselves as clicks and bricks, selling in the shop and by mail order.

Common combinations

a clicks-and-bricks model

The company adopted a clicks-and-bricks model to reach customers in remote areas.

a clicks-and-bricks retailer

As a clicks-and-bricks retailer, it can offer returns in store for online purchases.

a clicks-and-bricks strategy

Their clicks-and-bricks strategy helped them survive the downturn in foot traffic.

go clicks and bricks

After years online only, the brand went clicks and bricks and opened three shops.

Synonyms and how they differ

omnichannel

This is the more technical business term for serving customers smoothly across all channels, not only shops and web.

bricks and mortar

This describes physical shops only, without the online part, so it is not a full synonym.

Commonly confused: clicks and bricks or bricks and mortar? clicks and bricks or clickbait?

Practice

Make it your own

Write a sentence using “clicks and bricks”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.

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