U.S. Retail Survey Reveals 85% of U.S. Consumers Prefer Personalized Offers Reflecting Previously Purchased Shopping Habits

NEW YORK, Feb. 18, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nearly two thirds of Americans coupon-browsed instead of window-browsed during the 2013 holiday seasons, and only a miniscule six percent didn't do any in-store shopping, according to a new survey conducted by Synqera, a global technology startup that uses big data to bring personalized digital experiences to the physical retail store.

"There's a clear indication within today's consumer behavior that the current in-store promotional experience isn't capturing the attention of the omnichannel shopper," Filipp Shubin, COO of Synqera. "Consumers are asking for more personalized retail experiences that are relevant to their shopping needs, especially across holidays, and they'll shop at the stores that promote their products accordingly."

According to the survey, U.S. consumers still prefer promotional content and coupons from traditional print media (magazine, newsletter/flyer, newspaper) (75%), found online (72%), or received after a purchase (62%) for future shopping. Yet 45% would want to get this content at various locations throughout the brick & mortar store. The challenge for brick & mortar retailers and grocers is capturing the customer's interest, especially if 85% prefer personalized offers reflecting their past shopping behavior.

That's not including the 92% of total respondents who said they would be more likely to return to a store that provided an in-store discount across the holidays.

Other findings within the survey:

• Respondents making between $80,000-100,000 were most likely to use an omnichannel approach to shopping, using their mobile devices, online and in-store to make purchases
• What they don't want: 81% would not search for promotions and coupons on a retailer or grocer's mobile app and 73% would not want them sent directly to their mobile device.
• 57% of total respondents said, they signed up for a retailer or grocer's rewards or loyalty program this past year for a discount
• Two-thirds (67%) of shoppers prefer receiving a coupon for groceries, while only 14% would be interested in cosmetics (bath and body products), toiletries and beauty product coupons.
• Consumers are most interested in promotions and coupons for grocery and clothing, and least interested in ones for pet supplies or furniture
  • Almost 5 times more consumers want coupons on groceries than on clothing, and 10 times more interest in groceries than household goods
  • However, they prefer cosmetic promotions and coupons over ones for pet supplies
• Specifically asked about grocery store shopping, almost half (45%) would have changed their holiday menu(s) if their grocery store promoted holiday-themed recipes or themed meal ideas including items within the store
  • The younger generations are more flexible: two thirds of respondents aged 18-44 would have changed their holiday meal menus, while two thirds aged 45-70 would not have changed menus

Outside of the promotional disconnect that consumers are feeling with retailers, 63% of price-aware U.S. shoppers within the survey said their in-store holiday shopping experience could have been improved, especially for those shoppers under the age of 45. More than half of those that want improvement said that they'd consider using personalized coupons and more information about products. 86% of respondents said they would have purchased an item that was similar in look and quality (but less expensive) to one that they were originally looking for, if only they had been made aware of it.  

"The current decade's retail pain point may have never been about showrooming. Retailers still saw 2013 sales fall considerably for the traditional holiday promotion season. The cost-conscious consumer wants to be made aware of relevant products the retailer has at any moment especially during all holiday seasons. Solutions that provide both consumer-facing benefits that capture the consumer's attention as well as backend insights for the retailer like Synqera's, are in demand," continued Shubin.

The data for this survey was collected between January 27-30, 2014 via Instant.ly, with 1,024 online respondents ages 18-70. You can the survey results in their entirety here. For more information, please visit Synqera online at Synqera.com, Facebook, and Twitter.

About Synqera
Synqera, a retail technology startup, develops big data-driven technologies that bring the personalized online shopping model to physical retail stores, creating a more compelling in-store experience for consumers and greater customer loyalty and increased sales opportunities for retailers. Founded in 2010, Synqera launched its first product Simplate in 2012 in Europe and in 2013 in the United States, providing a new concept of real-time business-to-customer media communications. Synqera is headquartered in Saint-Petersburg, Russia, but aiming its operations to the international market.

For Media inquiries:

Chris Prouty
MWW for Synqera
[email protected]
415.987.5491

SOURCE Synqera