BrandShop's Third Annual Consumer Survey Exposes Opportunities for Brands Selling Direct-to-Consumer

NEW YORK, June 14, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --BrandShop (http://brandshop.com), the leading digital commerce solutions provider, today released its third annual survey on the preferences and habits of digital consumers. BrandShop's statistically valid U.S. survey further examines the persistent gap that exists between consumer expectations and the current state of online shopping. As was demonstrated in studies conducted in previous years, the results gathered from BrandShop's 2017 Digital Consumer Preferences Survey continue to reinforce the necessity for a brand to offer a robust direct-to-consumer (DTC) e-commerce experience as part of its overall digital strategy.

The study's findings also provide valuable insights into the habits of today's consumer and cover such topics as: how shoppers research products, overall satisfaction with direct and indirect channels, reasons why shoppers ultimately decide not to make a purchase on a brand's website and more.

According to the survey:

• 90% of consumers visit a brand's website to shop, and 82% expect to be able to make a purchase directly from the brand
• 87% of consumers would buy products directly from a brand online if given the option
• 95% of consumers believe it's important to research a product before purchase; 56% of online shopping starts on a search engine like Google
• 63% of consumers find shopping online with retailers to be highly satisfying, but only 43% feel the same way about shopping directly with brands
• 58% of consumers use a smartphone or other mobile device while shopping in-store to compare prices and research products, emphasizing the importance of a mobile-first experience

The study further supports the notion that the majority of consumers would purchase directly from a brand online if given the option, and in some product categories like clothing and apparel they would strongly prefer it over purchasing from a retailer. However, they often find their experience shopping with a brand to be unsatisfactory. In fact, many participants reported abandoning a brand's website in favor of a retailer's site because the brand failed to provide any DTC purchase option at all.

Additional conclusions drawn from the report include:

• With more shoppers now relying on search engines like Google as a starting point to research products, the need for brands to engage consumers with enticing brand content and quality SEO is more important than ever
• Consumers frequently abandon inadequate brand sites to research products on retail sites like Amazon where they are exposed to offers from the brand's competitors
• Almost a third of consumers report visiting a brand's website in order to view the brand's full product line, highlighting the advantage brands have over retailers who may stock only a portion of a brand's products
• When a consumer visits a brand's website, they not only expect to be able to make a purchase, but often would prefer to do so. By neglecting to implement an adequate DTC option, brands are squandering the opportunity to capture more sales and to solidify their relationship with the customer by providing a satisfying brand experience

"With an overwhelming percentage of consumers trying to shop and buy from their favorite brands, we are seeing our new clients enjoy rapid growth as they provide the best place for consumers to shop and buy their brand," said Reuben Hendell, Co-Founder and CEO of BrandShop. "BrandShop continues to work to make it easier and safer for brands to offer their products directly to consumers, satisfying their clear desires." To view the full survey, please visit: http://brandshop.com/2017-consumer-preferences-survey/

About BrandShop

BrandShop is the leading digital commerce solutions provider for Fortune 1000 brands and fast-growing retailers. With decades of expertise and consumer insight, BrandShop combines world-class technology, creative, digital strategy and operations to deliver the best consumer-focused shopping experiences online. Co-founded by Brian Martin and Reuben Hendell, BrandShop currently works with more than 50 clients including BluePrint, Colgate-Palmolive, Casio, Cuisinart, Dollar General, Georgia Pacific, Hershey's, Jaguar, Land Rover, Mondelez and SC Johnson.

For more information, visit

www.brandshop.com

.

SOURCE BrandShop

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