CHERRY HILL, N.J., Dec. 4, 2017 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly three quarters of Americans
are shopping again, reinforcing how much consumer spending is on the rise, according to research released today by TD Bank.
TD Bank's Retail Experience
Index found that 73 percent of consumers surveyed spent $500 or more on a single purchase
within the last year. The bank polled 1,021 Americans to better understand what today's consumers look for in their retail
experiences, including buying behaviors, paths to purchase and shopping preferences.
"We're encouraged to see that consumers are making major purchases again and feeling confident about the economy overall,"
said David Boone, EVP and Head of U.S. Partnerships and Shared Services at TD Bank. "We expect
consumer spending to increase steadily throughout 2018, so retailers should re-evaluate how they are engaging with customers and
determine if they're providing experiences that encourage purchasing across all channels."
Brick and Mortar Still Reigns Supreme, But Barely
As expected, the Retail Experience Index found that Millennials are more likely to shop digitally than any other age group.
Forty-one percent of consumers ages 18-34 shop online "all the time" compared to just 26 percent of Gen-Xers and 17 percent of
Boomers.
However, on the whole, the study revealed that consumers still prefer the brick-and-mortar experience, with slightly more than
half (51 percent) of respondents citing that they shop in-store "all the time." Furthermore, 66 percent of those who made a major
purchase in-store asked a sales associate for help, revealing how important customer interaction remains to the shopping
experience.
Better Shop Around
The Index revealed trends about big spenders, or those who spent more than $2,000 on a single
purchase, including their research patterns and reliance on social media. Of consumers who conducted research before making their
purchase, high spenders were more likely to leverage social media and blogs (32 percent compared with 21 percent of shoppers
overall) and retailers' mobile apps (23 percent compared with12 percent of shoppers overall) for research.
Big spenders who made a purchase in-store were also significantly less likely to buy the item during their first visit. On
average, 40 percent of all consumers made a purchase during their first visit compared with just 23 percent of big
spenders.
There's an App for That
When looking at the future of retail, shopping directly on retailers' mobile apps is gaining traction among consumers. The
survey found that one third (34 percent) of respondents frequently use a mobile app when shopping. Consumers cited the top
benefits for using this channel as the ability to shop during off hours (52 percent) exclusive in-app promotions, coupons or
discounts (51 percent) and no lines or crowds (48 percent).
When it comes to factors that impact retailer selection pricing tops the list, however the importance of online shopping is
underscored by the number of respondents who prioritize free shipping. Top retailer factors/offerings prioritized by
consumers:
- Pricing/sales: 89 percent
- Selection of products/merchandise: 88 percent
- Free shipping: 79 percent
- Convenience/seamless purchase experience: 72 percent
Millennials: Unabashedly Brand Loyal
The survey revealed that Millennials (ages 18-34) are the most brand loyal, with 69 percent indicating that they "always" or
"often" choose the same brand when making a major purchase. This is compared with 58 percent of Gen-Xers (ages 35-54) and 56
percent of Boomers (ages 55+) who say the same.
In fact, out of twelve common product categories evaluated in the Index, Millennial respondents were more likely to choose the
same brand always or often when making major purchases in nearly every category compared with Gen X and Baby Boomers. Categories
where Millennials lead in brand loyalty:
- Electronics/music equipment
- Furniture
- Jewelry
- Luxury/high end fashion and accessories
- Wearables (google glasses, smartwatch, AI goggles, etc.)
- Sporting goods/fitness equipment
- Outdoor power equipment
- Power sports/water sports
"We understand the challenges faced by Millennials today; they're debt-averse and price-conscious for good reason. As more
Millennials begin to start families and buy homes, retailers have an opportunity to earn brand loyalty by providing smart
pricing, flexible payment options and valuable loyalty programs. In fact, we think that providing value and flexibility is what
will keep these customers coming back in the long-term," said Boone.
Additional highlights from the TD Bank Retail Experience Index are available at www.tdpartnershipprograms.com/retailexperienceindex.
Survey Methodology
The total sample includes 1,021 respondents with a margin of error of +/- 3.1%. Data has been weighted by age, gender and
region to reflect the population. The survey was fielded May 15-24, 2017.
About MARU/Matchbox
MARU/Matchbox, formerly the Research & Consulting division of Vision Critical, is
a professional services firm dedicated to improving its clients' business outcomes. It delivers its services through teams of
sector-specific research consultants that have technology in their DNA, specializing in the use of Insight Community and Voice of
Market technology. MARU/ Matchbox's research drives decision-making across all aspects of customer experience, including
innovation, product, branding, commercialization and communications.
About TD Bank
TD Bank Cards and Merchant Solutions is a top 10 card issuer in North America with over
$24B in card receivables. TD Bank's credit cards are distributed nationally, leveraging the bank's
retail distribution network, direct response channels and through hundreds of partnership programs with financial institutions,
retailers and other third party organizations, including private label financing.
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SOURCE TD Bank