Report On Consumers Shopping Behaviour Debunks Myths

A 2013 survey on online consumer behaviour debunks a myth that social media will soon become an indispensable retail channel. The truth is, according to the report, online shoppers are not shopping on social media. They are commenting on companies and products they know and discovering new ones. The report is based on a survey of 11,000 shoppers in eleven different countries over 4 continents. The report went on to say that social media is not an important retail channel and isn't likely to be so in the near future. Result of this Survey on Social Media Although the use of social media has exploded, one-half of the respondents say they check out social media daily , but only a very small number uses it often to shop. Infact, 7:10 say they never shop on social media sites. Only 5% say they plan to shop there in the next twelve months. The survey placed social media users in one of three categories;

• Brand lovers

• Deal hunters

• Social addicts

The trends around brand lovers were most striking. Of the brand lovers who say they interact with brands via social media, 53% go shopping in-store daily or weekly, 58% make a purchase in-store at least once per week and 45% say they make an online purchase at least once per week. The researchers believe that brand lovers may be using social media as a way to warm up for future online or store shopping trips. They believe; though. that social media is a robust marketing and communications tool for retailers and consumer products.

In any case online shopping is here to stay whether it is on or off social media.

#onlineshopping #shoppingforbargains #onlineshopping