Tag: millenials

Recent research shows that this generation uses their devices even when in real world shops.

According to the results of a new study, 84 percent of millennials are using in-store mobile commerce. This means that despite the fact that they’re shopping in a bricks and mortar store, they’re also using their smartphones. That statistic only underscores the importance of retail mobile features.

The “mobile generation” is heavily influenced by the use of their smartphones while in store.

That said, even though many millennials are shopping using in-store mobile commerce, retailers shouldn’t feel threatened. This, according to Alliance Data, the firm behind the study. Alliance Data says this is an opportunity for retailers to benefit. If merchants embrace the use of mobile shopping by customers while they are in-store, they may be able to better guide the experience. This could provide them with a significant advantage.

The majority of millennials use in-store mobile commerce to find cheaper or easier ways of buying.

Knowing this can mean that retailers may be able to use the mobile shopping experience to prove they’re the best option. The survey data showed that one in three (34 percent) of millennials use their mobile devices to check product information. More than one in five (22 percent) use their smartphones to talk to friends about a product or service they’re considering.

“Retailers need to embrace mobile as part of the path to purchase,” said Alliance Data senior analyst of strategic insights group, Tom Colven. When a shopper is using a smartphone for shopping purposes while in-store, it is likely that they are trying to determine whether the store’s price for a certain product is a good one and what their peers think of the purchase. “Any brick-and-mortar retailers that do not embrace mobile at this point and latch on to key moments…risk being left behind by competitors,” said Colven.

The role played by smartphones doesn’t stop with in-store mobile commerce. After a purchases is made, the influence expands. The research showed 16 percent share that they have made the purchase over social media. Shopping experience details and unboxing information is also commonly shared.

The retail space may be outgrowing cashiers and retail sales clerks

In the United States, some of the most common jobs in the country are retail sales clerks and cashiers, according to information from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. When it comes to cashiers, some 3.4 million people in the country hold this position. The retail world is changing, however, and cashiers may no longer be needed. This is due to the advent of mobile commerce and an increasing demand for in-store mobile payment support.

Survey shows that Millennials have little interest in interacting with human cashiers

A recent survey from Relate, a shopping data aggregator, shows that Millennials, those who reached adulthood around the year 2000, would prefer not to interact with human cashiers in any retail environment. Millennials have become well known for their fascination and, at times, intense reliance on mobile technology. This demographic has become quite comfortable with the concept of mobile commerce and they have begun using their mobile devices to shop for and purchase products more than any other demographic.

Many people are using self-service kiosks to make purchases at physical stores

The survey notes that 20% of Millennials do not want to interact with human cashiers. In general, 85% of consumers have said that they have used an in-store self-service kiosk when purchasing products. Among Millennials, 91% have used such kiosks. The survey suggests that a growing number of consumers are becoming more likely to purchase products with their mobile devices, claiming that doing so is more convenient.

Retailers have been slow to embrace mobile payments, but that may be changing quickly as demand for in-store support rises

Though the survey shows that consumers are becoming less interested in interacting with human cashiers, the survey found that a significantly larger proportion of respondents simply want in-store mobile payment support. Retailers have become somewhat interested in the idea of mobile commerce, but relatively few of these companies have shown support for in-store mobile payments. The demand for this support is growing, however, and may soon become too loud for retailers to simply ignore.