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Pitney Bowes Survey Says Shoppers Want More Shopping and Shipping Options This Holiday Season
Shoppers blend their physical and digital worlds to demand flexible shipping and returns
This Smart News Release features multimedia. View the full release here: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150917005124/en/
“Options are no longer a privilege during the shopping experience. This
holiday season consumers will expect the ability to choose their
preference,” says
In fact, 93 percent of consumers find shipping options to be an important factor in their overall shopping experience (a 23 percent increase from 2014). Overwhelmingly, 88 percent of those surveyed find free shipping with a 5-7 day delivery to be more attractive than paying a fee for a 1-2 day delivery.
Consumers are willing to do what it takes to meet the free shipping threshold, with three in five respondents stating they have increased their online spending in the past to qualify for free shipping. Alternatively, 68 percent of online shoppers have previously used a promotional code or coupon to receive a shipping discount. Eighty percent say they’d also be more willing to purchase online if they had a promotional code or coupon. Additionally, 60 percent say they have increased their online spending in the past to qualify for free shipping.
The majority of consumers suggest they’re more willing to shop online during a sales event (61 percent), while 39 percent are more willing to shop with retailers who offer a premium membership (a paid-for membership that offers faster and cheaper shipping).
Once a retailer processes an online transaction, nearly all shoppers (98 percent) track their packages for an estimated time of delivery. The majority of shoppers track their orders via email (39 percent) compared to a mobile device (30 percent) or a retailer’s website (28 percent).
When asked about return options, the majority of shoppers prefer to return packages in a nearby store (39 percent). However, 38 percent prefer returning packages via a shipping provider, while only one in five shoppers prefer to have a courier pick up a package from their location. When it comes to gender preferences, survey results show that 45 percent of women are more likely to return a package in a nearby store, whereas 43 percent of men prefer to return a package via a shipping provider.
While survey results suggest consumers will be seeking options when it comes to shopping and shipping, they will also seek opportunities to shop consistently across the holiday season. When asked to select time periods in which consumers planned to do the majority of their shopping, results show that:
-
30 percent will shop before
Thanksgiving -
41 percent will shop from
Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday -
26 percent will shop on
Thanksgiving and Black Friday - 17 percent will shop on Cyber Monday
- 13 percent on the weekend between Black Friday and Cyber Monday
- 34 percent will shop during the month of December
Methodology: The third annual
About
View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20150917005124/en/
Source:
Pitney Bowes Inc.
Emily Simmons, 843-467-1071
Manager
External Relations
Emily.simmons@pb.com