Showroomers can be great movings targets
With bricks-and-mortar-retail stores continuing to struggle with the rise of 'showrooming' consumers (who visit a store to see a product but then buy online), there are still several ways retailers can entice mobile-carrying consumers to make purchases while they're still in-store, according to research from Aimia and Columbia Business School.
Retailers know that a shopper with a smartphone has access to every competing outlet and offer but, suggests David Rogers, co-author of the study and a professor at Columbia Business School, they aren't powerless against the showrooming phenomenon. For from it. However, it is critically important retailers understand the real impact of smartphones on shopper behaviour, which in turn will allow them to design a more appropriate retail experience that gives mobile consumers a strong reason to buy in-store instead of going home and buying online later.
The research report, entitled 'Showrooming and the Rise of the Mobile-Assisted Shopper' identified five distinct segments of mobile-assisted shoppers and uncovers clear opportunities for retailers to engage and retain these tech-savvy customers.
"Retailers don't have to resort to automatic price-matching," explained Rick Ferguson, a co-author of the study and vice president of knowledge development for Aimia. "M-Shoppers show a strong willingness to join loyalty programmes in exchange for rewards, and this gives retailers the chance to build long-term relationships with them."
Among the report's key findings:
- Showrooming isn't just for the Millennial Generation: Contrary to popular belief, 74% of M-shoppers are older than 29 years old.
- Mobile devices can actually improve the chances of an in-store purchase: More than 50% of M-Shoppers are more likely to purchase a product in-store when their mobile device helps them find online reviews, information, or trusted advice.
- Price isn't always the most important factor: Although "price checking" is the number one action of M-Shoppers, convenience, urgency, and immediacy are the top three reasons why M-Shoppers will buy in-store even if they find the same product cheaper online.
- Loyalty programmes are worth more than just their points: 48% of M-Shoppers say that being a member of a store's loyalty programme makes them more likely to purchase products in-store, despite equal or cheaper prices online.
The researchers looked at the attitudes, shopping patterns, and motivations of 3000 leading-edge consumers in the US, UK, and Canada to better understand how mobile devices are impacting their in-store shopping habits; identifying those shoppers most likely to showroom; and outlining actions retailers can take - such as loyalty programmes, price matching, free shipping, and mobile payments - to encourage consumers to open their wallets in-store. The results paint a clear picture of today's mobile assisted shoppers - or M-shopper - and debunks commonly held assumptions many brick-and-mortar retailers make about retail showroomers.
Five key segments - and how to lure them back
The research found that there are five distinct types of mobile-assisted shoppers and uncovered clear opportunities for retailers to engage and retain the business of these tech-savvy customers:
- The Exploiters
It would be easy for retailers to write off the Exploiters as a lost cause. But the best opportunity for retailers to win their business may simply be to improve the store's website. When Exploiters see a product on the shelf and pull out their mobile device, they are nearly as likely to search for it on the store's own website as on a competitor's site (69% vs. 77%). - The Savvys
Although they currently represent only 13% of mobile-assisted shoppers, Savvys are the ripest target for retailers to try out new offers and experiences in the mobile space. They are simultaneously more digitally-savvy, more willing to sign up for loyalty programmes, and more likely to be motivated by a range of retailer offers and rewards. - The Price-Sensitives
Price-Sensitives use their devices in stores periodically, but not as consistently as the other segments. Often, the right in-store experience will be enough to earn the Price-Sensitives' business. Their mobile devices may be with them, but still remain in their pockets and purses. - The Traditionalists
These shoppers are committed to purchasing in-store, making them the least threatening segment of mobile-assisted shoppers for retailers. They are open to interacting with retail stores on their mobile devices, whether by website, store app, or even scanning a QR code. But, they are currently using their devices mostly to consult on purchases with friends and family. - The Experience-Seekers
As the largest of all the segments, Experience-Seekers point to the opportunity for retailers to engage customers on their mobile devices in non-financial ways, with opportunities to comment, provide ratings, etc. And they demonstrate why retailers still need to invest in providing a unique and compelling in-store experience.
"Our findings debunked many of the common assumptions about the threat of showrooming, and who is doing it," concluded Matthew Quint, a co-author of the study and director of Columbia Business School's Center for Global Brand Leadership. "Many shoppers with smartphones care about more than just the lowest price on every item. In fact, while roughly 25% of M-Shoppers may require a discount to motivate in-store purchases, a clear majority can be enticed to purchase in-store through information assistance, engagement strategies, and strong loyalty rewards programmes."
Sources: Aimia; Columbia Business School / The Marketing Factbook.
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