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5 Factors that Change Consumers into Shoppers
26 Aug 2011 Posted by Brian Spencer
Brick-and-mortar walls no longer define the difference between a consumer and a shopper. Technology and culture have changed how we plan shopping occasions in addition to the actual shopping experience. People can switch from consumer to shopper at any time, in any place.
Fred Bidwell, Chairman of JWT Action (parent company of Market and Main Media), wrote about these shifting shopping modes in a recent article in Hub Magazine called, “The New Fluidity.” In the article, Bidwell summarized results of a shopper study.
JWT Action asked a cross-section of people to keep shopping diaries to document the times when they flip in and out of shopping mode. The diaries revealed five drivers which may switch a consumer into a shopper. Here is how Bidwell summarized those motivations with real-world examples:
1. Appease Peers: “Anthony’s friend suggested dinner and movie destinations. Barry does online research about tablets prompted by his wife’s interest in an iPad. Jennifer’s trip to the library with her kids results in an unplanned stop at a local sandwich shop.”
2. Dissatisfaction: “Ryan isn’t sure he’s getting the best service from his auto dealer and elects to shop for others. Barry decides to supplement his trusty work shoes with another pair in a different style and color. Wendy decides she really doesn’t like her bed linens and makes a plan to replace them.”
3. Digital Convenience: “While watching an Ohio State basketball game, Barry starts searching online for “gray” Buckeye apparel. Anthony uses Netflix Instant View to watch a film instead of going to a theater. Laura grabs a Groupon offer for a half-price massage, followed by a local search for deals on an oil change.”
4. Stock-up: “Anthony runs out of lunch food and goes to the grocery store. Nicole takes her last cough drop and heads to the drug store. Wendy runs out of fabric softener and adds it to the weekly shopping list.”
5. Impulse: “Katie goes online to buy her boyfriend a birthday present and ends up ordering a shirt for herself. Upon exiting the mall movie theater, Ryan and family unexpectedly pick up a couple of items at other mall stores. Anthony has no intention to buy when he accompanies a friend to a club store, but ends up getting bathroom tissue because it’s on sale.”
These factors show us that not every shopping occasion is a pre-planned event with a linear shopping path.
Bidwell contends that marketing plans need to embrace the new fluid path to purchase, “This approach enables brands to better understand their empowered audience and develop programs that effectively connect with them across the continuum. Most important, these brands will find that working across the entire length of the new, fluid path-to-purchase is where great opportunities exist.”
Do your messages and media plans cross-pollinate between brand and shopper tactics? Read the entire article in Hub Magazine, and share your thoughts with us.
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Video: Augmented Reality App for Valpak Coupons
29 Mar 2011 Posted by Market and Main Media
The Junaio app displays Valpak coupons by pointing your phone at stores. You may also search for offers nearby and redeem the coupons through the Valpak site. Add this to your list of apps and devices that are influencing shopping behavior. Watch this video to see it work.
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New Video: The Constantly Connected Shopper
14 Feb 2011 Posted by Brian Spencer
Shoppers are spending more time than ever researching online before they shop offline. Recent data from Google shows 51% of shoppers are researching products online before they visit a store and 70% of smartphone owners use their phone in some capacity to help them shop.
Marketers need media plans which include these digital touch points. Watch this video from Google of real shoppers talking about their digital shopping tools:
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New Research on Shopper Loyalty for Brands and Retailers
08 Jan 2011 Posted by Brian Spencer
The latest issue of The Hub Magazine features an article by our own Steve Abdo, Vice President and Director Strategic Planning. In the magazine, Abdo recaps a new study from our insights group called “Balance and Building Loyalty.”
We all face conflicting demands for our time that can strain our relationships and cause stress. Brands and retailers have an opportunity to help shoppers on their journey to a more harmonious life that balances relationships, health, work and environment. By helping shoppers achieve balance, marketers can develop trust and passion. This can result in shoppers being more loyal to the retailer and brand.
Read the complete article in The Hub Magazine.
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Working And Shopping Go Hand-In-Hand
04 Aug 2010 Posted by Brian Spencer
The latest statistics on women’s control of household spending show that the “fairer half” is responsible for $4.3 trillion in spending – an amount that accounts for nearly three-quarters (73%) of all spending. An online study from AOL Advertising with OTX called “The Mall Behind the Spreadsheet” looked at 700 women to see how much of that shopping is now being done online while the women are at work or at home. The research, as reported by Media Post, concluded that as many of 40% of women are taking advantage of online shopping during work hours as a way to fit more into their hectic lives.
On average, women shop online between 15 and 30 minutes a day while working, with moms shopping more than the average. Also, women tend to shop online more on Fridays than on any other day of the week, and about half of all women do their shopping between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.
Sixty-nine percent of women who shop from work do so for a specific need. However, younger women (ages 18-34) are more likely to do so from boredom (60%) while only a third (33%) of older women (35-54) are prompted by boredom. Other reasons include:
• Email notifications from companies (younger = 40%; older = 37%)
• Email notification from sources they’ve subscribed to (younger = 38%; older = 44%)
• Relevant online ads (younger = 31%; older = 23%)
In terms of purchase drivers, 60% of respondents talked about email offers, while only 35% mentioned TV commercials. Less influential but still important were online ads and direct mail offers (30%) as well as newspaper circulars (28%).
More than half of the respondents shop during lunch (54%) or while on break (46%). Another 41% shop while multitasking or right after seeing a deal (25%).
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