Tag: shopping

Indonesia – More than half of Glance users in Indonesia plan to increase their shopping budgets this Ramadan, with 50% expecting to spend over Rp 3m and 22% anticipating expenditures exceeding Rp 5m, according to a report by consumer technology company Glance.

Glance’s report also found that nearly 58% of Indonesian shoppers prefer to complete their Ramadan shopping four weeks before the holy month begins. Notably, big-ticket items like jewellery did not top their shopping lists, with consumers prioritising more personal and meaningful purchases.

Reflecting the festive spirit, clothing and accessories emerged as the top shopping category across both online (66%) and offline (61%) channels. Confectionery gifting was also a popular choice in both formats. Among online shoppers, home appliances (38%), beauty products (34%), and gadgets (34%) ranked high in preference, while offline shoppers prioritised groceries for home-cooked meals (53%), home décor (44%), and DIY hobbies (41%).

Glance, known for its smart lock screens, reported that during the 2024 Ramadan period, content related to ‘Mudik’ saw significant engagement, with 917.5 million glances (views) and 27 million taps.

Ramadan recipes also attracted strong interest as families prepared for Suhoor and Iftar, generating 380 million glances and 7 million taps. Stories about Eid traditions received 185.6 million glances and 4.3 million taps, highlighting widespread interest in cultural heritage.

Additionally, gaming recorded 37.9 million plays, while users spent 298 million hours watching video content. Fashion and health-related topics also drew notable engagement.

According to the report, user activity on the Glance smart lock screen platform peaked during the daytime hours leading up to Iftar, as many users spent more time on their mobile devices before breaking their fast. This period saw a notable increase in engagement with gaming—accounting for nearly 65% of users—along with a surge in time spent on OTT platforms, streaming services, and religious apps.

Bikash Chowdhury, chief marketing officer at InMobi and Glance, also stated, “Indonesian consumers are at the forefront of the digital revolution and among the most active mobile internet users in the Asia–Pacific region. They have made ‘glancing’ a massive phenomenon in the country, engaging with content across entertainment, gaming, and trends, while brand marketers tap into this behaviour to connect meaningfully with their audiences. We are excited to see Glance’s growth story continue to unfold in Indonesia in the coming years.”

“Glance has profoundly impacted how Indonesian consumers engage with content during Ramadan, where the platform saw a 30% increase in time spent and a 23% rise in engagement rates. This transformative shift presents marketers with an extraordinary opportunity to connect with an active audience building brand salience through tailored communication during this important period,” said Vasuta Agarwal, chief business officer of consumer and performance advertising at InMobi.

Indonesia – More than half of Indonesians (52%) identify as need-based shoppers, with brand-loyal consumers (38%), price-sensitive shoppers (34%), and quality-focused buyers (30%) following in distant second, third, and fourth places, according to YouGov.

YouGov categorised consumers into distinct personalities: minimalist, need-based, environmentally conscious, socially conscious, quality-focused, brand loyal, trend-driven, price-sensitive, convenience-driven, impulse buyer, early adopter, and experiential consumer—each reflecting unique behaviours and motivations.

YouGov’s data shows that Indonesian women surpass men in need-based consumption, with 54% of women identifying as necessity-driven compared to 49% of men. Women also lead in brand loyalty (40% vs. 37%), price sensitivity (39% vs. 29%), and quality focus (31% vs. 28%).

Indonesian men, on the other hand, are slightly more inclined towards minimalism, with 25% identifying as minimalist consumers compared to 23% of women. They also exhibit more impulsive buying behaviour, with 13% of men identifying as impulse buyers versus 10% of women. Additionally, men are more likely to consider themselves socially conscious consumers (15% vs. 11%).

Interestingly, YouGov’s data also highlights a segment of consumers striving for more mindful consumption, a group that may be driving the trend of underconsumption.

A quarter of respondents (25%) reported owning fewer possessions in the past 12 months and adopting mindful consumption, identifying as minimalist consumers according to the survey.

The survey also provided insights into overconsumption among Indonesian consumers, revealing that fewer Indonesians make purchase decisions driven by trends, impulse buying, or the desire to be the first to try new products.

According to the survey, only one in ten Indonesians (12%) consider themselves impulse buyers, with even fewer identifying as early adopters (7%) or being driven by trends (7%).

Meanwhile, pulse chasers (trend-driven shoppers, impulse buyers, and early adopters) are often scrutinised in discussions about overconsumption. However, they play a crucial role as brand advocates, driving positive word-of-mouth. YouGov’s data suggests that post-purchase regret and a more thoughtful approach to consumption may shape their shopper personality.

Half of pulse chasers (51%) report frequently regretting impulse-driven, trend-fueled purchases over the past year. More men (17%) than women (11%) experienced this regret very often. Among those without regrets, men lead women (10% vs. 7%).

Additionally, 37%  of pulse chasers report regretting their purchases somewhat often, while an equal 37% regret them not very often. However, women (43%) are more likely than men (32%) to feel regret somewhat often.

YouGov also explored the financial impact of these purchases on consumers. The survey revealed that over a quarter (27%) of respondents spent between Rp 200,001 and Rp 400,000 on impulse-driven, trendy purchases over the last year. More than two in ten (23%) spent under Rp 200,000, while 31% spent over Rp 600,000.

Nearly four in ten (39%) have reduced their spending and purchased fewer items in the last 12 months, while 38% report no change. About a quarter (23%) have increased their spending.

The data also revealed that pulse chasers who reduced their spending cited becoming more mindful of their purchases as a key reason.

Among pulse chasers who reduced their spending in the last 12 months, 44% cite being more thoughtful about their purchases and focusing on necessity. For 21%, budget-consciousness and deal-hunting were key factors, while 19% opted for buying fewer items in favor of higher quality.

Meanwhile, a smaller proportion (15%) are motivated by the desire to reduce the environmental impact of their purchases.

“Brands must recognise that even some of their most enthusiastic, vocal customers are evolving to be more discerning. As consumers sharpen their focus on the environmental impact of their purchases, product quality, and budget mindfulness, brands must adapt to these shifting expectations to remain relevant and trusted,” YouGov wrote. 

Melbourne, Australia–Three in four consumers now browse through multiple marketplaces before buying, new research from Rithum revealed. 

The research showed that an average consumer would shop on three different marketplaces when purchasing online as challengers grow in popularity. 

Half (50%) of the respondents have admitted to abandoning a purchase if they suspect that better prices exist elsewhere or that they may decrease in the future. This purchasing decision is due to consumers developing a fear of missing out on a better deal. 

Furthermore, the aforementioned trend also coincides with the rising popularity of marketplaces where features like price comparison and reviews are accessible to consumers, helping them shop around for the best value. 

According to the research, almost half, or 46%, of shoppers now use marketplaces to discover products, while 37% are clicking through sponsored products while they are browsing on a marketplace. 

It is worth noting, however, that while shoppers are generally open to expanding their options with marketplaces, 47% of consumers stated they still trust brand-owned websites more than other marketplaces like Amazon (21%), and eBay (29%). 

With this, it’s become increasingly important for e-commerce brands to expand their marketplaces to adapt to customer preferences. 

Based on Rithum’s research, businesses with unsatisfactory performance in 2023 cited the highly competitive marketplace and lower consumer spending as the biggest factors. Meanwhile, among those that performed better, a third (36%) cited marketplace diversification and expanding sales channels as the main drivers behind the stronger results. 

Price pressure from competitors, meeting consumer sustainability expectations, and bringing in new customers to the brand were also the main issues highlighted by brands and retailers in terms of the barriers they’re preparing to face in 2024. 

As marketplaces play a more important role in the new year, brands and retailers are also starting to look into marketplace distribution and product listings. Amazon and eBay came out on top in terms of marketplace strategy for 2024, followed by Temu and SHEIN.  

Gordana Redzovski, managing director of APAC at Rithum, said, “The path to purchase is becoming increasingly fragmented as consumers visit multiple sites before completing a transaction. Consumers are consistently shopping around to find the best product, prices, and customer experience, and they’re willing to jump ship at the first sign of a better experience.” 

Redzovski continued, “Brands and retailers need to join consumers in their multichannel approach. This doesn’t necessarily mean extending your presence to hundreds of marketplaces. Instead, use a diverse set of tactics, including retail media and social media marketing, to simply remind shoppers of your brand and where they are shopping. 

“Consumers look to marketplaces for the wide selection of products, safe, secure transactions, familiar, comfortable experience, and fast, reliable shipping. Marketplaces have set a standard that many major retailers are now looking to replicate. And, as an e-commerce seller, your strategy must approach finding the best environments for selling products across multiple marketplaces,” she further added. 

Hong Kong – Retail sales in Hong Kong back in November 2023 have by $34.2b, marking a 15.9% increase compared to the same month in 2022, and for the first 11 months of 2023 taken together, it was provisionally estimated that the value of total retail sales increased by 17.1% compared with the same period in 2022. This is according to the latest data released by the Census and Statistics Department (C&SD) of Hong Kong.

According to the data, of the total retail sales value in November 2023, online sales accounted for 9.3%. The value of online retail sales in that month, provisionally estimated at $3.2b, decreased by 16.1% compared with the same month in 2022. The revised estimate of online retail sales in October 2023 increased by 9.0% compared with a year earlier.

Moreover, the provisional estimate of the volume of total retail sales in November 2023 increased by 12.4% compared with a year earlier. The revised estimate of the volume of total retail sales in October 2023 increased by 2.9% compared with a year earlier.

It is also worth noting that jewellery, watches and clocks, and valuable gifts rank the most in the value of sales, amounting to around 60.8%. This was followed by consumer goods not elsewhere classified (29.0%); wearing apparel (54.1%); commodities in department stores (15.0%); food, alcoholic drinks and tobacco (6.3%); medicines and cosmetics (38.7%); footwear, allied products and other clothing accessories (24.4%); Chinese drugs and herbs (33.7%); books, newspapers, stationery and gifts (11.1%); and optical shops (17.8%).

A government spokesman said that the value of total retail sales increased visibly in November over a year earlier alongside the revival of inbound tourism.

Looking ahead, the spokesman added that an expected further recovery of inbound tourism should continue to benefit the retail sector. Continued improvement in household income, as well as various promotional campaigns and activities launched by the Government and the industry should also provide support.

Singapore – A new survey from YouGov notes that six out of ten Singaporeans claim to have purchased things through social media sites. Facebook looks to be the most popular social media buying network, with four out of ten users admitting to using it for purchases (40%). 

As a result, a quarter of respondents (26% each) claim to have made purchases via TikTok and Instagram, while a fifth (20%) have done so via YouTube. 

Notably, a substantial 40% of consumers in Singapore state that they have not made any purchases through social media platforms.

A comparison of different age groups reveals interesting differences. Facebook appears as a preferred platform among older generations, particularly with 44% of Generation X users. In comparison, Generation Z has a lower proclivity to use Facebook for purchases, with only 22% using the platform for this reason.

Instead, Generation Z consumers have a stronger preference for TikTok, accounting for 46% of users, exceeding the usage percentages of other generational groups, such as 30% for Millennials and 23% for Generation X. Furthermore, both Generation Z (41%) and Millennials (37%) are more likely to use Instagram for purchases than Generation X (18%).

Consumers in Singapore tend to fall into distinct categories when it comes to buying frequency. The majority, 52%, are classified as occasional customers, meaning they make purchases on social media sites less than once a month. 36%, on the other hand, are classified as frequent purchasers, suggesting that they shop on social media more than once a month. A significant 11% are unsure about their shopping frequency.

Those who have engaged in such transactions may lack the commitment that leads to frequent buying behaviour, according to earlier statistics revealing that 40% of Singaporeans have refrained from making purchases through social media. Millennials are once again the most frequent purchasers, with 44% purchasing on social media more than once a month. In Singapore, however, the Generation Z population prefers occasional purchases, with 63% expressing a preference for this shopping frequency.

Within the category of frequent customers, Facebook is the most popular app for purchases, with 74% preferring it, followed by TikTok (58%), and YouTube (51%). In contrast, among occasional buyers, the distribution of usage shifts slightly, with 61% preferring Facebook, 41% preferring Instagram, and 38% preferring TikTok.

According to the study, the top reasons for prospective consumers to make purchases through social media platforms are cheap price points in comparison to other options and appealing discounts and promotions, both of which register at 52%. Other important factors influencing purchasing’ decisions include 41% convenience, 38% the capacity to analyse products in detail, and 35% the certainty of dependable customer service.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Local gourmet grocer The Food Merchant has launched its latest signature concept store, ‘The Food Merchant Prelude’, to offer a curated and premium grocery shopping experience in Malaysia.

The Food Merchant Prelude features a grab-and-go concept that curates premium grocery shopping. It invites discerning shoppers and passionate food enthusiasts to indulge in an unhurried exploration of refined tastes.

From Michelin Guide-acclaimed Asian and Western delicacies to the understated charm of artisanal bakeries, every corner of the premium grocery speaks of elegance and quality that caters to everyone’s unique taste.

The debut of the new store is part of The Food Merchant’s two-year milestone celebration. It is exclusively situated in one of Kuala Lumpur’s prestigious addresses, the Pavilion Damansara Heights.

Together with the opening of the Prelude store, The Food Merchant is also giving out exciting promos like complimentary ‘Thank You’ gifts and collaborative voucher promos with foodpanda to invite people to visit their shop. 

The Food Merchant Prelude is also a ‘teaser’ for an upcoming Phase 2 that the company will reveal in 2024. The gourmet grocer continues to distinguish itself through its meticulously crafted, flag-adorned aisles that facilitate easy navigation as customers explore a treasure trove of unique imported products.

Ivan Tan, managing director at The Food Merchant, said, “We are delighted to mark our two-year milestone with the opening of The Food Merchant ® Prelude. This is a testament to our commitment to providing a haven where luxury and taste take centre stage. The Food Merchant®️ Prelude is described as a “Prelude” because it sets the stage for an upcoming Phase 2, targeted to open in the later part of 2024, which promises even more expansive and exciting experiences.”

“As a gourmet grocer, we not only bring diversity and quality grocery offerings to our customers. We also bring a distinguished dine-in experience featuring authentic international cuisine, seamlessly bringing together flavours from East Asian oceans to European vineyards, all within a single, inviting space. Some of the key features of TFM include the variety of local and international cuisine the gastronomy halls offer, renowned trolley service, and our commitment to sustainability, exemplified by eco-friendly packaging initiatives,” Tan further added. 

Australia – Due to its commitment in providing high quality products with affordable prices, supermarket chain ALDI Australia has launched a humorous campaign titled ‘Shop ALDI First’, to convince the Australian shoppers that it is the top choice when it comes to buying grocery needs, despite the existing supermarket competitions.

In partnership with creative agency BMF, the 30-second campaign highlights a shopper who looks at her remaining item on the shopping list after buying at Aldi. Later on, a cashier told her that it would be cool if she found it in another supermarket. 

The customer leaves the supermarket, uttering the words, ‘you will always be my first’ – sounded like they’re in a television drama, but it implies the message that Aldi will always be their first choice in grocery needs.

Jenny Melhuish, marketing director at ALDI Australia said that they understand the shoppers if they have choices in supermarkets. However, she also highlighted that it’s more worth it to shop at ALDI due to its cheaper prices compared to other supermarkets, given that Australian shoppers spend a lot during post-christmas and holiday season.

This campaign also comes after research revealing that 45% of Australian shoppers chose ALDI based on their parents’ brand of choice despite their savings.

Other works from the campaign will also be posted on television, OOH channels, print, digital and social.

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Over a hundred brands will be part of Malaysia-based IPC Shopping Centre’s Mutiara Damansara New Year’s Eve countdown festival, to which the shopping center will host a 12-hour shoppable live stream.

The IPC Shopping Center is a national shopping mall anchored by Swedish home furnishing giant IKEA and one of Ikano Retail Asia’s portfolio in Southeast Asia region.

In its live stream on NYE, are exclusive deals, giveaways, and entertainment from local and international artists, which include Jeremy Zucker, Talitha Tan, and local talents such as Tata Wanqian, Koe Yeet, Natalie Chai, Fiza Saad, Ming Yue Ho, and Adzrin Mansor.

“Like many others in the retail industry, 2020 was a challenging year for us, but I am proud to say that it was during those times that we saw the best in our people and our tenants,” said Arnoud Bakker, head of leasing of Ikano Centres, part of IKEA Southeast Asia.

He added, “We remained flexible and agile, accelerating our digital developments through programs such as our personal shopper services and onboarding our tenants onto online food delivery platforms to increase their revenue streams. This event is another example of the innovation and entrepreneurship that we celebrate. We are excited that our tenants are supportive of our efforts as we continue to maintain a tenancy rate of 98 percent.”

The live stream will also host tenants while promoting their products. The exclusive deals are available for purchase until January 3, 2021, within Facebook. A collaboration with courier services Lalamove has also established to meet the same-day-delivery shopping demands for purchases made before 9 pm within Klang Valley.

“We are glad to still be able to hold onto our tradition of hosting a New Year’s Eve celebration for the community – except this time, virtually to reach a wider audience. While we are seeing a positive recovery in visitation in the past couple of weeks, we remain committed to exploring alternative ways for us to support our tenants,” said Karyn Lim, general manager of IPC Shopping Centre.

She added, “Therefore, like how Malaysians have risen to the occasion to #kitajagakita, we are thrilled to support 100 over brands across almost 40 tenants, ranging from Home Furnishing, Fashion & Sportswear, Beauty & Health, Food & Beverages, and Kids, Education & Technology, during the live stream. This New Year’s Eve will be slightly different for all, but we hope to continue offering exciting, fun, and more importantly, safe celebration for the community.”

The New Year’s Eve countdown by IPC Shopping Centre will kick off from December 31, 2020, at 12:30 pm to January 1, 2021, of the same time.

Singapore – The pandemic, which caused a drastic decline in retail sales, has created a new brand loyalty shift among Singaporean consumers causing for them to switch brands this year, new research from customer experience company Qualtrics show.

About 56% of the respondents have opted out for cheaper brands during the pandemic. Similarly, 57% of the respondents said that they are more likely to buy items on promotion, while half (51%) have bought different brands due to availability.

“While we know consumers will always value cost, quality, and convenience, findings from the Qualtrics study highlight the major extent to which people are actively seeking out alternatives. In fact, a third of respondents said they have tried at least one different brand since the pandemic began,” said Lisa Khatri, research and brand experience lead for Qualtrics in APJ.

The research also showed renewed consumer priorities among Singaporeans in terms of where to spend their money.

There has been a significant increase in purchases relating to takeaways and home delivery systems (50%), fresh food (42%), and packaged groceries (37%) as well as utility bills and service expenditure (47%), and cleaning products (35%). On the other hand, the majority of the consumers said that they’re spending less on luxury brands and products (60%), entertainment and travel (60%), eating out at restaurants (55%), and alcohol (48%).

London – The ongoing global pandemic has created varied consumer impacts and reactions within the consumer base within the Chinese and Japanese markets, recent statistics from consulting firm Ernst & Young show.

In their latest “EY Future Consumer Index,” the report showed contrasting behaviors on pandemic impact on consumer behavior and everyday life. Chinese consumers showed more optimism that the pandemic fear will fade off, as 46% of the respondents say the fear will only last about one to six months. On the other hand, Japanese consumers were less optimistic, with 66% of the respondents saying that the fear will last for about a year or more.

With a significant increase in consumers shifting to online shopping, Chinese consumers are very likely to show interest in online shopping, with appliances and technology-related items being the top shopping choice.

On the other hand, Japanese consumers’ behavior tends to lean more to a “normalization” perspective, which accounted for the top consumer trend in the country.

Andrew Cosgrove, EY global consumer knowledge leader, notes that such mixed consumer behavior means that the future of shopping means transitioning to online channels.

“This points to the risk of showrooming, with consumers going to stores to touch and feel the product for the experience but then making purchases online where products might be cheaper. Retailers and consumer product companies will need to ensure they have both seamless omnichannel experience and the stock and price point needed to make the sale,” Cosgrove stated.