How Consumers Will Be Using Mobile This Holiday Season

We all know men and women shop a differently, but one thing is true about everyone; they are likely to be holiday shopping on mobile devices. The differences may be slight, but new research shows how men and women are using smart phones & tablets differently during the holidays.

• Women are slightly more likely to shop via
  mobile devices on Black Friday
  (31% of women and 29% of men)
• Men are somewhat more likely to spread shopping
  out throughout the season
  (47% of men and 44% of women)
• Over 50% of consumers stated it was either
  important or very important that retailers have
  mobile optimized web sites

What Does This Means To You?
Mobile is not a passing fad, it represents a complete shift in the ways consumers are connecting with stores and researching products.  Standard websites have an 80% lower success rate on mobile phones than mobile optimized sites. Do not put your business at a disadvantage this holiday season.  For more information on effective & efficient mobile solutions, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: InsightExpress; Emarketer

Affluent Shopper’s Holiday Habits

The tough economy is affecting the shopping habits of the affluent ($75,000+ incomes).  Over half said they planned on spending less this year and looking for deals is becoming more important than ever.

• Nearly one-third of affluent shoppers said they planned on shopping online more than at malls
• 20% will be using social media to find deals
• 56% plan on comparison shopping more than they used to
• They are 33% more likely than lower income groups not to buy without a discount or free shipping

Women are also anticipating changes to the way they will shop during
the holidays

• Women are more likely than men to be comparison shopping
  this year
• They are also more likely to demand free shipping and shop on line

What Does This Mean For You?

Economic reasons has forced everyone to re-access their holiday shopping plans, even those who are usually insulated from tough times.  You need to maximize your reach this holiday season to keep your stores full and cash registers ringing.  For more information on how we can help your business reach the customers you need to be successful, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: SteelHouse

Smart Phone Users Getting a Head Start on Holiday Shopping

Every year we all say the same thing – I’m not going to wait until the last
minute to start holiday shopping.  Well, it looks like smart phone users are
keeping that promise.

According to Insight Express:

• 23% of smart phone users have already started
  shopping for the holidays
• 18% have actually already made holiday purchases
• Naturally, smart phone users shopping activity
  is expected to peak in November

What Does This Means To You?

Mobile devices have become the go-to device for shoppers and
smart phones & tablets are transforming the way consumers do their
holiday shopping.  Whether it’s searching for deals, mapping out the
stores they want to shop, comparing prices or making purchases;
holiday shoppers are fully mobilized.
The question is, Are you?
For more information on how you can use mobile solutions to make your holidays bright, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: InsightExpress

Black Friday Goes Mobile

Black Friday is rapidly approaching and all indicators point
to mobile having a huge impact on holiday shopping.

A new study from Google AdMob reports:

• 15% of all Black Friday web searches will be
  done from a mobile device
• 44% of searches for last minute gifts and store
  locations will come from mobile devices
• Over 33% of smart phone and tablet users plan to
  start shopping on their devices before Thanksgiving

What Does This Mean To You?

The holiday season means so much to so many businesses and not having a
viable mobile strategy puts you at a competitive disadvantage.
Since your customers are so dependent on mobile devices, shouldn’t you be using mobile tools to reach them. From mobile web sites to
apps, QR codes to permission based SMS campaigns; mobile devices offer you a wide range of solutions that could make cash registers ring this holiday season. For more information on how mobile can bring you great results, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Google AdMob

But It’s Not Even Halloween Yet.

This isn’t meant to scare anyone, but Christmas is now less than 90 days away.
Yes, less than 90 days.
With that in mind, we’ll be focusing our posts this week on
research that will bring you holiday results.
Starting with some of the latest research that is pointing to a
change in holiday shopping behaviors.

• 62% of participants said they planned on
  spending less overall
• Half said they were going to comparison shop
  more this year than last
• 31% said they would not make any purchases that
  did not involve discounts or free shipping
• Nearly 30% said they would spend more time
  shopping online than at the mall
• 12% percent planned to use social media to find
  deals or use social media to inform friends about deals they found

What Does This Mean For You?
It will be more important than ever this holiday season for you to remain visible with your customers.  Consumers are spending less and looking for deals.  If you don’t tell them about everything you have to offer, how will they find you?
For more information about effectively and efficiently creating awareness for your business, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group
representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: SteelHouse

“Deals” Programs Continue To Grow

In a previous posts we’ve showed you that nearly 70% of smart phone owners
had purchased a “deal” and that over half of internet users subscribe to at least 2 “deals” emails.  New data shows us that the “deals” trend is not waning in the eyes of the consumer.

• Currently, consumers are spending $873 million dollars annually on
  “deals” programs
• Spending is expected to increase to $3.9 billion by 2015, a growth rate
  of 35%
• 80% of consumers who purchase “deals” are new customers to
  that business

What Does This Mean To You?
Most companies are always looking to increase traffic and awareness to their business.  “Deals” programs do just that.  With the anticipated increase in spending and the large available audience, “deals” programs are a great vehicle for getting you noticed and to develop a loyal customer base.  For more information on how a “deals” program can increase awareness of your organization, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Emarketer; BIA/Kelsey; MarketingVox

College Students are Mobile-Centric

It’s no surprise that college students are gadget crazy, but there are also mobile dependent.  A recent survey shows us that 47% own a smart phone and 7% own a tablet.  But their attitudes towards tablets point to a growing ownership trend:

• Nearly 70% of college students think that tablets will transform the way students learn in the future
• 63% believe that tablets will enhance their learning experience
• Almost half think tablets will replace textbooks in the next 5 years

What Does This Means To You?
Besides being a huge consumer base right now, college students are the technology trend setters of tomorrow.  Nearly 40% of college students admitted not being able to go 10 minutes without checking   a digital device.  Odds are they will not become less digitally dependent.  You need to be invested in mobile opportunities to capitalize on this consumer base.  If you aren’t, it’s a good bet their competition will.  For more information on mobile opportunities, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Making An Impact With QR Codes

New research tells us that 14 million users have scanned a QR code with a mobile device.  These users tend to be:

• Male – 61%
• 18-34 – 53%
• Affluent (HHI $100,000) – 36%

One of the things that is often overlooked is where the codes originated

• 49% of codes scanned were from magazines or newspapers
• 35% from printed packaging
• 27% were scanned from a website
• 24% were scanned from a flyer or poster on a kiosk
• 13% from a business card or brochure
• 13% originated from a storefront
• 12% from a TV show

What Does This Means To You?
While QR codes are becoming more popular, it’s important you utilize QR codes effectively.  Nearly half of all codes scanned originated from a newspaper or magazine.  If you’re are using other methods of distributing your message via QR codes, you are missing the audience who will use them.  For more information on how QR codes can expand your visibility and client base, please contact your Orlando sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: ComScore

Mobile Web Use Soars

Nearly 25% of users go online with mobile devices each month, that’s a population of nearly 100 million people.  Mobile internet use is expected to continue to grow and eventually eclipse standard internet use.

• By 2015, 3 in 5 mobile users, or half the US population will be using mobile internet.
• Smart phone ownership is expected to grow nearly 50% this year alone
• In just the next 4 years,  150 million US consumers are expected to own a smart phone

What Does This Means To You?
Just having a website is no longer good enough. You will need to have a fully mobile optimized digital strategy.  It’s not just millennials using the mobile web either.  While 44% of mobile internet users are 18-34, the number of seniors age 65+ using mobile internet is expected to double in the next 4 years.  For more information on utilizing mobile web opportunities and getting results, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:

Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Emarketer

The Online Video Audience

If you are looking to target males or the younger audience, then you need to
get involved in online video.

• 56% of online video viewers are male
• 38% are age 18-34
• 85% of males 18-34 watch online video each week
• 75% of males 25-34 watch weekly
• Nearly 70% of females 12-24 are online video watchers

What Does This Mean To You?
In earlier posts we’ve given information on how online video has incredible recall and the audience is growing.  Now we see how it connects with the elusive male audience.  If these are customers that you are trying to reach, online video is a no brainer.  For more information on video & digital products that engage your target audiences, please contact your Orlando Sentinel Media Group Representative or:
Lisa Mercer
Orlando Sentinel Media Group
407.650.6572
llmercer@orlandosentinel.com

Source: Frank N. Magid Associates