92 YEARS YOUNG

As staggering as this is to believe, I’ve just read an article published by a leading supermarket that a lady aged 92 has just placed her first online shopping order. Better still, she is absolutely thrilled with the service. This is surely amazing news... isn’t it?

I love hearing about our older and respected generation embracing new technologies such as online shopping. Though actually online shopping could be more suited to the older generation anyway, given the younger are more mobile? 

I’d love to think my parents, who are in their 70’s, would be happy to shop online but the reality is I’m more than happy they can do the simple things like send a text.  They live in an era where ‘online’ is a word they brush aside with an “oh I can’t do that” or “I’m not interested” and happily they still enjoy shopping per se. It’s part of their routine; almost habitual they seldom veer off course.

No doubt the time will come when everyone will be able to shop online, but in the back of my mind I wonder to what degree will people still want to ‘touch and feel’ certain products? Surely even the young mum’s in their 20’s will still want to go shopping to get that touchy, feely and important ‘quality’ experience.

Maybe this is simply retail v supermarket shopping? I have friends that don’t want to run around a supermarket, yet I’m confident they still get a buzz when they go shopping for clothes and experience the sense of seeing, touching, trying on and ultimately walking around with a shopping bag that screams ‘I’m excited, I’ve got something new’. Or maybe this just comes down to us all as individuals, and how we feel at that ‘ready to buy’ moment!

HALLOWEEN… Scary or Retail Friendly

Hello November as we prepare to say good-bye to October. But before we say good-bye we have Halloween to enjoy. How noticeable the increase in our attention over recent years… simple awareness or clever marketing? Maybe both.

Contributions surely include global and economic growth, more international trading, more products easily accessible and more frequently with our UK retailers.

 We have been influenced, but we have also evolved with technology. As consumers we’re more aware because of social media, advertising, our shopping habits and simply our choice. Collectively a blend of all these factors guarantees our attention, which in turn helps generate sales.

It does come down to clever marketing to make us aware, coupled with smart insight and research that tells the marketers how to bring products and consumers closer together. Hello!

One thing we know, Halloween has grown. In 2001 the UK spent approx. £12 million and last year (2013) this figure grew to over £300 million. 

Good insight for you. Don’t be scared, frightened or nervous… it’s more about ‘your goals’ than creepy ghouls!

Happy HELLOween!