# Brick and mortar: what it is and how it works · Zorraquino
> Brick and mortar refers to businesses with a physical presence, such as shops or offices, where customers are served in person.
URL: https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/brick-and-mortar.html

# Brick and mortar

Brick and mortar refers to businesses with a physical presence, such as shops, offices or branches, where customers are served in person

What it means, how it is used and where it comes up, with its related concepts.

[The whole glossary](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary)

## What it is and how it works

The expression gained currency with the rise of e-commerce as a way to distinguish traditional businesses from pure-play companies that sell only online.

The line is now blurred: many physical retailers also sell online (the click-and-mortar model) and some digitally native brands open their own shops. The term is therefore mostly used for the physical channel within an omnichannel strategy.

Also known as

bricks and mortar, physical retail, high-street shop

Topics

[Technology and data](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/category/tecnologia-y-datos)

## Related concepts

- [Click and mortar](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/click-and-mortar.html)
- [Pure play](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/internet/pure-play.html)
- [Omnichannel](https://www.zorraquino.com/en/dictionary/digital-marketing/omnichannel.html)