As the popularity of shopping apps and showrooming rise, retailers continue to face unfamiliar challenges. But for those willing to venture into uncharted territory, the opportunities for success in the new retail landscape are huge. According to this latest parago research report, shoppers are more than eager to BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In Store), BISBO (Buy In Store, Buy Online) and adopt other desirable behaviors when presented with the right offers at the right time.
According to our findings:
• the top 2 reasons shoppers buy online are convenience and price
• 64% of shoppers already BOPIS
• 82% of shoppers would BOPIS for a $10 rebate on a $50 purchase
• 61% of shoppers would BISBO within 2 weeks if a $10 rebate doubles to $20 on a $35+ purchase
The 15 Minute Breakdown: 2024 Beauty Marketing Study
BOPIS & BISBO will propel retail into orbit
1.
2. ONLINE RETAIL IS GROWING, but not as fast as offline brick-and-mortar
is contracting. Many retailers are reporting that customers who shop online
don’t come in store much, if at all, and vice versa. Customers who shop online
tend to expect greater selection, cheaper prices and free shipping, which
erode margins that are already battered by price-match strategies.
All of this change has two new buzzwords — BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In
Store) and BISBO (Buy In Store, Buy Online) — permeating retailers’ mission
control centers, as they work to grow transaction counts and healthier margins.
Retail is steeped in traditional “markdown” events, which still work, and
which have recently been proven once again necessary. But many shopping
trends are not being closely addressed, and now retail is playing catch-up.
The good news for retail and the brands they sell is that shoppers are
willing to change their behaviors in ways that are more advantageous to the
industry. Shoppers just need (and in most cases are not offered) the right
incentives to do so.
parago just completed a national shopper study to identify the best
opportunities to grow better margins for brands and retail. BOPIS and
BISBO are at the top of the list of behavioral changes shoppers are
willing to make. But meeting their expectations requires better synergies
between online and in-store, including improved service and the right
incentives. All are achievable by marrying new strategies with traditional
retail experiences.
Launching such change may seem a little daunting, given all the challenges
in the market. But the brands and retailers that plan now to work together
will be the first to plant their flag on the next horizon.
Please reach out with your questions, thoughts and suggestions. We can
provide a customized view for you, including retailers shopped online and
in-store, displayed by key demographics such as age, income and ethnicity.
launch better online
and in-store strategies
CONTENTS
METHODOLOGY 2
KEY DISCOVERIES 4
BOPIS & BISBO HAVE LANDED 6
CONVENIENCE & PRICE 8
ONLINE SHOPPING CATEGORIES 10
PEOPLE PREFER PREPAID 12
PRICE SENSITIVITY 14
SOCIAL MEDIA 16
ECONOMICS 16
APPENDIX 17
Good selling!
Rodney Mason
CMO
rodney.mason@parago.com
972.538.7336
twitter.com/rodmoose
BOPIS & BISBO
3. GENDER
female 57%
male 43%
AGE
18–22 7%
23–29 18%
30–39 14%
40–49 16%
50–59 21%
60+ 23%
ETHNICITY (select all that apply)
American Indian or Alaskan Native 3%
Asian or Pacific Islander 5%
Black or African American 10%
Hispanic or Latino 12%
White or Caucasian 74%
prefer not to answer 3%
REGION
Pacific 19%
Mountain 8%
West North Central 7%
West South Central 10%
East North Central 16%
East South Central 4%
New England 6%
Middle Atlantic 18%
South Atlantic 12%
EDUCATION
less than high school 1%
high school diploma 8%
some college 22%
vocational/technical degree 5%
college graduate 37%
graduate school 26%
EMPLOYMENT
employed full time 53%
employed part time 13%
unemployed 6%
homemaker 4%
student 6%
retired 15%
disabled, not able to work 4%
INCOME
<$19,999 15%
$20,000–$49,999 27%
$50,000–$99,999 34%
$100,000–$199,999 20%
$200,000+ 5%
OWN VS. RENT
own 55%
rent 45%
RELATIONSHIP STATUS
married or civil union 47%
widowed/divorced/separated 14%
living with significant other 12%
never married 27%
HOUSEHOLD SIZE
1 21%
2 41%
3 17%
4 13%
5 5%
6+ 3%
CHILDREN AT HOME?
no children in household 70%
children in household 30%
AGE(S) OF CHILDREN LIVING AT HOME (select all that apply)
under age 10 39%
ages 10–18 47%
over 18 38%
methodology parago conducted this national shopper study in July 2014 to identify the best incentives to drive
online and in-store traffic. 1,992 adults who represent US consumers completed this survey.
0% 100% 0% 100%
2 | BOPIS & BISBO
numbers may not add up to 100 due to rounding
4. the preference for online shopping is rocketing
In most shopping categories, offline brick-and-mortar experiences are still preferred. However, online is speeding up overall and — for some products and services — is actually the way consumers want to purchase. This study includes across-the-board insights.
incentives accelerate BOPIS
The majority of shoppers BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In Store) at least a few times per year. With the right incentives, many say they will do so more often.
reduce shipping costs and boost transactions
Consumers like free shipping, but the costs erode your margins. Offering a BOPIS incentive will drive incremental transactions and reduce shipping costs while driving incremental in-store purchases.
the online ascent is fueled by convenience and price
Convenience and price are the most important reasons people now buy online. That’s why it’s imperative for brands and retailers to make the in-store experience more convenient
and a better value. For example, picking up in-store most often beats shipping time and cost; add an incentive for in-store pickup to offer even more value.
consumers demand more value
The majority of consumers continue to believe that the US economy is headed in the wrong direction. In fact, one-third of shoppers report that they are purchasing less for this reason. They need more value to stimulate incremental purchases.
shoppers want more social offers
Although social media use is on the rise for shopper research, this study reveals that no single platform is a primary influencer — yet. Our insights do show which social platforms consumers are using, and that there are not enough offers propagated through social.
price-match incentives intercept showrooming
Over 80% of adults 18–48 years old have a smartphone. Of these shoppers, a majority regularly compares prices and makes purchases on their smartphone while standing in-store. And most of them are using Amazon and Google as launch pads for price-match searches. Price-match incentives tip the scale back to brick and mortar.
motivated shoppers stay in your orbit
Offer the incentives shoppers want in order change their purchasing habits, and they will shop you more often. We asked, and consumers told us they prefer prepaid debit cards over retailer gift cards and other types of rewards.
our key discoveries
4 | BOPIS & BISBO
5. shoppers are how often do you buy online and pickup in store?
exploring
new frontiers
BOPIS & BISBO HAVE LANDED
82% of shoppers would BOPIS for a $10 rebate on a $50 purchase
a few times per year 54%
monthly 7%
weekly 3%
64% OF SHOPPERS
ALREADY BOPIS
(buy online, pickup in store)
— sometimes
retailers can drive higher spend by tying reward to second purchase
55% OF SHOPPERS
who make a $25 online
purchase would purchase
in store within 2 weeks for a
$10 rebate on a $35 purchase
61% OF SHOPPERS
who make a $25 in-store
purchase would purchase
$35+ online within 2 weeks if
a $10 rebate doubles to $20
6 | BOPIS & BISBO
6. the online ascent
is fueled by convenience and price
The most important reason people now buy online is convenience. Last year, price was the runaway winner. But given the greater likelihood for retailers to offer price- match deals, price has slipped to a very close #2.
However, when you drill down into very specific customer categories — such as 18–29 year old smartphone owners — price still beats convenience.
CONVENIENCE AND PRICE RULE
why do shoppers buy online? select all that apply
convenience 77%
price 67%
selection 53%
other 9%
That’s why it’s imperative for brands and retailers to make the in-store experience more convenient and a better value. For example, picking up in store most often beats shipping time and cost; add an incentive for in-store pickup to offer even more value to your customers.
what 18–29-year-old smartphone consumers prefer select all that apply
convenience 79%
price 77%
selection 64%
other 4%
launch BISBO — observation
While your customer is in store, make sure at least one purchase is made on the spot. This is where BISBO (Buy In Store, Buy Online) can be a powerful tool. Use tablets, kiosks or trained sales associates to enable brick-and-mortar shoppers to order out-of-stock, online-only products and other complementary merchandise before walking out the door. If you connect the dots for your customers, they will buy more from you, more often.
8 | BOPIS & BISBO
7. the preference
for online shopping
is accelerating
In many categories, consumers are starting to prefer to buy online. A surprising discovery is that many shoppers would prefer to BOPIS (Buy Online, Pickup In Store) so many of these items.
retail category
prefer to buy online
would BOPIS
appliances, large
7%
45%
appliances, small
24%
51%
auto parts
16%
25%
beauty
24%
24%
bedding & linens
24%
33%
clothing (women’s, men’s, children’s)
43%
38%
electronics (computer, TV, stereo, tablet, headphones)
50%
57%
fitness equipment (treadmill, cross trainer)
8%
23%
entertainment (movies, games, books)
58%
38%
furniture (couches, tables, bed frames)
12%
34%
home improvement (smart thermostat, water heater, tools)
12%
29%
infant or toddler supplies (high chair, bedding, stroller, toys)
7%
13%
jewelry
19%
22%
lawn & garden
11%
29%
luggage
7%
21%
mattresses
4%
19%
medical (devices, medications, vitamins, nutraceuticals)
16%
21%
optical (contacts, glasses)
8%
16%
office supplies (paper, coffee, refills, pens)
23%
29%
paint & supplies
4%
17%
pet products
22%
27%
shoes (women’s, men’s, children’s)
31%
29%
sporting goods (shoes, workout clothes, uniforms, hats)
20%
26%
toys
19%
23%
wireless phones
17%
26%
ONLINE SHOPPING VARIES BY CATEGORY
10 | BOPIS & BISBO
8. motivated
shoppers stay
in your orbit
Providing the right rewards can bring customers back for more purchases. Most retailers are missing the mark on the rewards that drive spendback to the store. They opt for perceived cheaper options because they don’t understand the value and pull offering the right reward can deliver.
PEOPLE PREFER PREPAID
“which reward would you prefer to receive in store?”
prepaid Visa card 47%
store gift card (good online or in store) 26%
store “bucks” (reward dollars good online or in store) 14%
loyalty rewards 8%
“which reward would you prefer to receive from an online retailer?”
prepaid Visa® card 48%
store gift card (good online or in store) 24%
store “bucks” (reward dollars good online or in store) 10%
none 7%
store gift code good for online purchases 6%
loyalty rewards 6%
’tis always the season for BOPIS
The busy holiday shopping season does not hinder the propensity for BOPIS or BISBO (Buy In Store, Buy Online) offers: 63% of consumers want these offers during this peak time.
12 | BOPIS & BISBO
9. showrooming
is still on a
steep trajectory
Now that over 80% of adults 18–48 years old own a smartphone, it’s no surprise that showrooming is more common than ever. In fact, a majority of these shoppers not only compare prices while in store, they make online purchases while they’re standing there. The top two tools they use are Amazon and Google.
CUSTOMER PRICE SENSITIVITY IS HEATING UP
If a store uses a price-match™ rebate, shoppers would buy from the store vs. the online retailer.
$5 price difference on a $50 item will push the purchase to Amazon.*
would buy from Amazon if a $50 item in store were $45 on Amazon 63%
would buy from Amazon if a $50 item in store were $40 on Amazon 82%
would buy from Amazon if a $100 item in store were $90 on Amazon 76%
would buy from Amazon if a $100 item in store were $80 on Amazon 91%
top ways consumers check prices on smartphones while in store
Amazon 60%
Google 60%
apps 31%
other comparison websites 40%
Last year, Amazon was used twice as often as Google. Growing smartphone penetration — of the Android™ platform in particular — has increased Google use. Now, it is imperative to intercept competitors in store. You can do so by making your own online experience Android- and iOS-mobile friendly. Also, optimize for mobile search and establish an in-store pricing strategy that is competitive with Amazon and other online retailers.
*parago’s “Dynamic Pricing in a Smartphone World: A Shopper Showrooming Study,” 2013
where shoppers look for deals
When pre-shopping for deals, 53% of consumers use product-search or price-comparison websites (such as Google Shopping, PriceGrabber, Shopping.com, etc.). Deal and coupon websites (such as FatWallet and Slickdeals) are also used by 41% of consumers when pre-shopping.
14 | BOPIS & BISBO
10. To give retailers and brands deeper insights into their markets, we identified consumers’ preferred places to shop, both online and in store. We discovered the best opportunities to drive more online customers in store and push in-store customers online. In many cases, we can identify opportunities to grow share in both environments.
For example, we’ve identified several retailers that have greater share of available online customers, but not as much share of in-store shoppers. That means there should be significant opportunity to grow in-store revenues by driving online customers in store with the right offers.
In several cases, we found the opposite situation. Some retailers would benefit from driving in-store customers online to choose from a broader selection of items that are related to the items purchased in store.
The next few pages include summaries of consumers’ retailer preferences for online and offline, reported by ethnicity. This is just one of many ways to organize and analyze the data from this study. Reach out to me directly if you’d like a custom look at your opportunities to drive greater BOPIS and BISBO that will lead to increased transactions and total aggregate spend.
Rodney Mason
CMO
rodney.mason@parago.com
972.538.7336
APPENDIX:
SHOPPING HABITS
BY ETHNICITY
a bigger view
Pinterest is the leader in social media
Social media is underutilized by retail and brands to drive customers to make purchases either online or in store. Retailers and brands need to invest more in social and deliver shopping-focused messages. If they don’t, they’ll miss a significant opportunity to grow online and in-store traffic.
top 5 social media sites used when planning to shop
Pinterest 9.0%
Facebook 8.8%
YouTube 6.8%
Instagram 1.4%
Twitter 1.2%
the economy is a big challenge
Finding ways to build shopper confidence in total value will unlock incremental spend.
67% believe the country is headed in the wrong economic direction.
46% of these people — one-third of the total population — spend less because of this belief.
ECONOMICS
SOCIAL MEDIA
16 | BOPIS & BISBO
promote price via social
60% of consumers want to find discounts and purchase incentives via social media. 66% follow brands. The vast majority are not receiving discounts via social, hence social is not driving purchase, even though shoppers want it to.
15. we create engaging solutions that inspire action & impact results
Reach out to me directly if you’d like a custom look — including key demographics, store preferences, categories and motivators — at your opportunities to drive greater BOPIS and BISBO that will lead to increased transactions and total aggregate spend.
Rodney Mason
CMO
rodney.mason@parago.com
972.538.7336
twitter.com/rodmoose