The average person checks their phone 85 times a day, whilst millennials check an incredible 150 times. What impact is this having on our shopping habits?

 Research by Onbuy.com, using a 2017 report by PWC, looked at responses from 24,471 people, from six continents about their shopping preferences, and how they have changed over the course of five years.

Although in-store shopping is still the most popular among weekly and daily shoppers, the frequency of mobile shopping has overtaken tablet shopping, and is almost ready to overtake PC shopping. If the statistics are anything to go by, mobile shopping is set to overtake in-store shopping within the next five years.

To make in-store retail thrive once more, new technologies such as 'augmented reality' (AR) and 'virtual reality' (VR), are being adapted for use in the retail world. According to a recent study by KPMG, AR and VR are set to be 'the next generation of disruption in the retail world'. In the near future, it is likely that customers will use AR and VR to explore products whilst browsing in-store.

OnBuy.com  conducted its own survey of more than 1,500 people, aged between 18 and 40, about their retail decisions. OnBuy found that 54 per cent of consumers see themselves using mobiles more in the future to make the in-store experience better and more meaningful. A further 73 per cent of consumers believe that retailers will have to keep up with new technology to improve their customer experience and retain customers.

For millennials, it is even more important to evolve and increase tech use, as six in 10 25-to-34-year olds find it easier to chat to stores via text, online chat or messenger apps, than go into store. And 52 per cent of millennials would prefer to seek information online, rather than ask a shop assistant, even when they are actually in a shop.

Onbuy.com also found that just under half of consumers (47 per cent) are more likely to buy from brands with stores that are different or interesting, rising to 65 per cent for millennials.

For businesses to stay ahead, the company recommends retailers do more to interact with customers both online and in-store, from building up a social media presence, to discounts for loyal customers and investing secure platforms for online purchases. page1image29320 page1image29480 page1image29640

Cas Paton, MD of Onbuy.com, said: "As technology is evolving so rapidly, it is important that companies incorporate new technologies into their business to help keep up with the times. Our survey highlights that consumers want to see more of tech, both in-store and online, and it is vital to do so if you want to future-proof your business for the foreseeable future, and thrive - particularly in the retail sector."

What do you think? Email mark@moosemarketingandpr.co.uk