PowerReviews Releases Study on the Impact of Mobile and Wearable Technology on Consumer Shopping Behavior
Chicago (PRWEB) May 12, 2015 -- Shoppers have grown to expect having access to the same information in stores as they have online. The rise of mobile has successfully blurred the lines between in-store and online commerce and now wearable technology is poised to bring that integration of channels to a new level.
PowerReviews, the company powering ratings, reviews and Q&A technology for more than 1,000 global brands and retailers, has released a new study, “Mobile, Wearable Tech and Hyper-Relevance: Transforming Consumer Behavior and Retailer Opportunities.” Surveying more than 1,000 consumers in the U.S., and conducting a similar study in the UK, this study analyzes how mobile and wearable technology are impacting consumer expectations and how retailers can meet these changing demands.
“In-store and online shopping experiences can no longer be viewed independently. Today’s consumers want access to ratings, reviews and other product information whenever and wherever they’re making purchase decisions - whether online, via mobile device or in store,” said Matt Moog, CEO of PowerReviews. “Technologies like wearables, near-field communication and beacons are creating more ways for retailers to deliver this hyper-relevant and authentic information to shoppers, which will enhance the shopping experience, driving sales and creating passionate brand advocates.”
Among the findings of PowerReviews’ study:
Consumers Want Connection
Interactions between shoppers and retailers are no longer linear. Technology has rewritten consumer behavior and with it, the retail landscape. Most shoppers are already using technology to help make purchase decisions and many are open to new technologies that can enhance in-store shopping experiences.
The introduction of new technologies continue to make the path to purchase more complex, increasing the ways in which shoppers and retailers interact. However, they also create opportunities for retailers to deliver more targeted, context-driven product information, making their message much more effective.
- Ninety-one percent of shoppers are already using technology to make purchase decisions.
- More than 21% of shoppers welcome new technologies such as smart watches to help with shopping.
Wearable Tech Will Drive Shopping Efficiency
Consumers are excited about wearable technology. They believe this technology will make their lives easier, especially when it comes to shopping. Shoppers are interested in a variety of ways wearable technology can make shopping, especially in-store, more efficient.
- Eighty-two percent of shoppers would like technology such as smart watches to make enhance their shopping experience.
- Twenty-two percent want retailers to enable one-click payments through a wearable device.
- A quarter of shoppers would like alerts to long lines in stores.
- Twenty-eight percent would like reminders of special events, such as birthdays, holidays and anniversaries, when already out shopping.
Shoppers Want In-store Reviews and Hyper-relevant Information
Shoppers want the ratings and reviews accessible online also available while in stores - and as a result, many shoppers have turned to their mobile devices. Beacons have emerged as a tool for retailers to deliver context-driven, relevant information straight to a shopper’s phone. However, when compared to the UK, American consumers are much less willing to be targeted by retailers through beacons, putting the onus on retailers to demonstrate the value in these communications.
- Seventy percent of consumers are interested in accessing product ratings and reviews while in store.
- Ninety percent of shoppers are using mobile devices to help make in-store purchase decisions.
- More than 20 percent of shoppers would be open to being targeted by beacons as long as it helps them make the right purchase decision, saves money or helps enhance the overall shopping experience.
- Only 16 percent of shoppers surveyed have received a push notification from a retailer while in-store or nearby.
For more information and to download the full report, visit http://www.powerreviews.com.
About PowerReviews
PowerReviews is the choice of 1,000 global brands and retailers to collect and display ratings and reviews on 5,000 websites. An essential resource for consumers as they search and shop online and in-store, ratings and reviews drive relevant traffic, increase sales, and create actionable insights to improve products and services. PowerReviews’ mobile-friendly rating and review and Q&A software is fast to implement and simple to customize, making it easy for brands and retailers to generate more authentic content that is seen by more consumers. The PowerReviews Open Syndication Network is the largest in the industry, reaching 2,500 retailers and more than 700 million in-market shoppers every month, giving retailers and brands the power to reach shoppers wherever they are. For more information, visit http://www.powerreviews.com.
Meghan Spork, Walker Sands Communications, +1 312-2411474, [email protected]
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