The Editor’s Take: A Multifaceted Transition

As the relief pitcher, the Web does all the wonderful things the catalog call center does: great order taker, available 24/7, can cross-sell and upsell, compare products, show in-stock status, offer discounts, and so on. But at least for now, catalogs continue to do the one key thing the Web/bullpen can’t do anywhere near as effectively: start the game — or, initiate the sale.