A new store in Palo Alto has created the potential commerce template of the future by combining facets of both online and offline shopping. As the home of the world's biggest high-technology companies, Palo Alto is a fitting location for an innovative consumer tech store. A problem faced by many brands is how to sell automated and connected technologies to consumers, when so much retail has been swallowed up by e-commerce.

The answer lies in a showroom-style format which combines online browsing with traditional shopping. The brick-and-mortar store attempts to redefine the retail experience through the mode of discovery. Showcasing the latest gadgets within days of their release, each item is sat alongside an iPad which details real time pricing from multiple online sites in comparison to the in-store price.

Companies are able to hire retail spaces from b8ta who in return provide instant feedback on sales performance and how many people stopped by their display. The brands are able to set their own in-store prices, which can be changed instantly in line with changing prices elsewhere, maximising the sell through of each item.

b8ta makes its money by taking a small percentage of each in-store sale, and through the rental subscription fees that are charged to the brands - most of whom have never sold in physical retail due to overwhelming costs. In a time when stores are constantly searching for reasons to attract shoppers back to the store, b8ta provides an interesting alternative.

b8ta is now open, visit their website for more information.