Wake-Up Call for Retailers to Get Stores Connected, with in 5 Shoppers Connected In-Store

Wake-Up Call for Retailers to Get Stores Connected, with 1 in 5 Shoppers Connected In-Store Cisco study reveals a doubling of U.S. consumers that shop via smartphones, and 80 percent of consumers use the Internet to guide purchasing decisions

Internet of Everything in Retail

Infographic: Cisco Consulting Services Study on Digital Shoppers

National Retail Federation (NRF) 103rd Convention & Expo, Booth 1954

NEW YORK Jan. 13, 2014 The fourth-annual research study of shopper behavior by Cisco Consulting Services revealed a doubling of consumers that are connected to the Internet when they shop in brick-and-mortar stores. This change in shopping behavior is creating a wake-up call for retailers to become more connected with their customers in the store to capture their share of the $99 billion in value now being created by the data-rich Internet of Everything (IoE) (Source: Cisco IoE for Retail Industry Study). The research also revealed shoppers' interest in eight IoE retail service concepts for brick-and-mortar stores currently being tested and piloted by leading retailers.

According to the research findings, 80 percent of U.S. consumers, or Digital Mass Market shoppers, use the Internet when they shop. And a growing percentage of ber-Digitals shoppers, who regularly use their smartphones for their shopping decision-making, the number nearly doubled to 18 percent of the sampled population. Today's shoppers are more connected and expect a more integrated online and in-store shopping experience.

At the NRF Big Show Conference and Expo, Jon Stine, North America Retail Lead Consulting Services will present the key findings of the study titled, Digital Shopping Behavior in an Internet of Everything World. He will also share how retailers can create a more immersive and connected experience that is demanded by today's shoppers. Cisco and its partners will also demonstrate (booth 1954) state-of-the-art solutions that enable retailers to provide faster and a more engaging shopping experience to their customers in an IoE world. Key technology demonstrations include Mobile TV Coupons, SmartLockers solutions, Cisco Connected Mobile Experiences, and Cisco Remote Expert Smart Solution for Retail.

Key Research Highlights

The key findings below are the result of an online survey of 1,174 participants that are representative of the U.S. broadband population.

The Internet influences most buying decisions, calling for retailers to fully integrate online, mobile and in-store channels

Online sources have strong influence over most purchasing decisions: When asked what sources of information are most trusted when making purchasing decisions, 63 percent of ber-Digital shoppers cited ratings and reviews found on retailer web sites. This compares to 40 percent who looked to friends and family, and 12 percent who turned to retail store associates.

Omnichannel shopping begins on-line: More than 70 percent of ber-Digital shoppers regularly begin their shopping journeys online via their mobile phone or their personal computer.

Showrooming buying behavior continues to grow among consumers: Roughly six in 10 (59 percent) of this tech-savvy group reported that they regularly research products in stores before purchasing the products online. In comparison, Digital Mass Market shoppers are much less likely to showroom: fewer than four in 10 (39 percent).

Half of consumers prefer to use retailer's mobile apps when showrooming: Although 75 percent of ber-Digital shoppers expect access to information/Internet when shopping, half of consumers (51 percent) prefer to use the retailer's mobile app when shopping in the store.

Consumers are willing to exchange personal data for more valued services

Discounts for personal information: The majority (52 percent) of digital shoppers are willing to share information with retailers if they get discounts on their next purchase. The majority of Digital Mass Market shoppers are willing to share basic information, such as purchase history (57 percent), name and age (56 percent), and likes and dislikes (48 percent). Fewer shoppers are willing to share their location (20 percent), current products they use (27 percent) or purchases from other retailers (24 percent).

Personalized service wins Facebook friends: Almost half (44 percent) of ber-Digital shoppers are willing to share information from Facebook in exchange for more personal service.

Monitoring customer movement in the store vs. in-store turn-by-turn directions: Nearly half of ber-Digital shoppers think it is acceptable for retailers to monitor their time spent in the store (47 percent), location in the store (44 percent), and products you try but don't buy (43 percent). However, 71 percent of ber-Digital shoppers and 57 percent of Digital Mass Market shoppers found in-store turn-by-turn directions based on their location in-store appealing.

Retailers need to build trust with a majority of consumers: Only 31 percent of Digital Mass Market shoppers rated retailers high in their trust to protect their personal data. Retail was near the bottom of the list when compared with other industries, such as healthcare, financial services, and government agencies

The future of shopping starts with demand for new IoE retail service concepts

Gamification shopping experience: 55 percent of ber-Digital shoppers and 34 percent of all consumers are interested in scavenger hunt promotions that offer consumers special discounts if they scan/collect QBR codes while shopping through a store(s). Retailers that offer beat the clock specials that offer consumers special discounts if the consumer clicks on a pop-up window while shopping on-line or on a smartphone generated interest from 56 percent of ber-Digital shoppers and 35 percent of all consumers.

Mobile concierge app: 66 percent of

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