Conventional wisdom holds that the Internet makes the world flat and reduces friction by erasing the impact of the physical world on our buying habits.

But Wharton professor and marketing expert David R. Bell argues that the way we use the Internet is still largely shaped by the physical world that we inhabit. Anyone can go online and buy a pair of jeans—but the likelihood that we would do so depends to a significant degree on where we live. The presence of stores nearby, trendy and friendly neighbors, and local sales taxes, among other factors, play a critical role in our decision-making process when it comes to buying online. So too, our willingness to search for and consume information depends on where we live and who we live next to.

David will give an overview of his unique GRAVITY framework from his book, Location Is (Still) Everything, that explains how the real and virtual worlds connect and what Internet sellers must consider in order to succeed. Some key examples will also draw from startups founded by Wharton alumni.

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