Connecting the offline and online shopping worlds

by Alex Buznego on January 27, 2011

Was inspired this weekend when looking into a really cool and innovative website named Milo.com. Milo searches the shelves of stores in your area in real-time to determine where a given product is in stock nearest you. It’s the best of both offline and online shopping. By searching online, you can do full research, look at customer reviews and feel confident you’ve investigated a product fully. But with the added information of what stores in your area are carrying the product and at what price, you are able to make a short drive to pick it up and take it home the same day, and without having to pay shipping!

Milo was purchased in December by eBay for $75 million. Founder and CEO, and one of Inc.com’s “30 Under 30,” Jack Abraham, says the goal is to be able to link up to every store in the physical world. Ebay’s first integration with Milo was over the holidays with GiftsNearby, allowing last-minute holiday shoppers the ability to discover ideas for gifts and the ability to pick it up the same day, just in time.

The recent trend toward connecting the offline world to the online world is fascinating to watch, as is Milo’s potential to change the way we shop altogether!

Alex Buznego

Alex is responsible for creating and executing all Marketing strategies, including Brand Management, Interactive/Web 2.0 Marketing, Public Relations and Social Marketing initiatives at Inktel Direct. Alex’s past experience in Marketing includes time with the Miami Heat, as well as experience in the nonprofit sector as Director of Development for Roots of Hope. Alex holds a Master’s of Business Administration Degree in Marketing and Finance from the University of Miami, as well as a Bachelor’s of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science and Economics from the University of Pennsylvania. Alex has been with Inktel for two years.