fbpx

FESTIVE SEASON SHOPPING

Rising number of global shoppers will use retailers’ mobile apps

By our News Team | 2021

Seven-nation study finds more consumers than ever will make use of retailer-specific mobile phone apps this holiday season.

To shed light on changing consumer behaviours and preferences for the crucial holiday shopping season around the world, the international mobile app experience company Airship recently partnered with Sapio Research to survey more than 9 000 consumers across three regions and seven countries.

These countries included the emerging markets of Singapore and India, as well as the developed markets of the US, UK, France, Germany and Australia.

Globally, 48% of respondents expect to do three-quarters or more of their holiday shopping online, and a nearly equal percent (47%) say that three-quarters or more of their online shopping will be done using smartphones rather than desktops. Among respondents saying 100% of their holiday shopping will be online, the U.K. comes in on top at 20%, followed by India (18%) and then the U.S. (16%).

Festive Season shopping

Photo by Cottonbro from Pexels

App downloading is not a barrier to usage

For most countries and generations, the likelihood of using a retailer’s app while shopping in-store is only a few percentage points behind visiting the retailer’s website, despite people having to first download an app from the App Store or Google Play. 

Indeed, 81% of Millennials have used retail apps more, or about the same, since the pandemic began, followed by 77% of Gen X, 74% of Gen Z and 66% of Baby Boomers.

“Consumers are clearly developing a preference for mobile apps as the primary destination to save them time and streamline their shopping experiences – from in-store wayfinding to click-and-collect and curb-side (pavement) pickup,” said Brett Caine, CEO and President of Airship. 

“For retailers, apps offer better opportunities to truly understand their customers and form stronger direct relationships, as it’s much easier to tie together their digital and physical activities and engage [consumers] throughout their journey with the brand.”

Dr Kin Kariisa

Group CEO - Next Media

Dr. Kin Kariisa is an extraordinary force at the helm of Next Media Services, a conglomerate encompassing NBS TV, Nile Post, Sanyuka TV, Next Radio, Salam TV, Next Communication, Next Productions, and an array of other influential enterprises. His dynamic role as Chief Executive Officer exemplifies his unwavering commitment to shaping media, business, and community landscapes.
With an esteemed academic journey, Dr. Kariisa’s accolades include an Honorary PhD in exemplary community service from the United Graduate College inTexas, an MBA from United States International University in Nairobi, Kenya, a Master’s degree in Computer Engineering from Huazong University in China, and a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics from Makerere University.
Dr. Kariisa pursued PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radboud University in Nijmegen, Netherlands. As a dynamic educator, he has shared his expertise as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at both Makerere University and Radboud University.

Dr Kin did his PhD research in Computer Security and Identity Management at Security of Systems Group, Radbond University in Nigmegen, Netherlands. He previously served as a lecturer of e-Government and Information Security at Makerere University in Kampala, Uganda and Radbond University in Netherlands.

Dr Kin did his postgraduate courses in Strategic Business Management, Strategic Leadership Communication and Strategies for Leading Successful Change Initiatives at Harvard University, Boston USA.

  • Other current and previous roles played by Dr Kin Kariisa:
  • Lecturer of e-Government and Information Security to graduate students at Makerere University, Kampala and Radbond University in the Netherlands
  • Director of Eco Bank Uganda Limited, one of the largest banks in Africa
  • Chairman of the National Association of Broadcasters, an umbrella industry association for all Television, Radio and online broadcasters in Uganda.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Nile Hotel International, that owns the leading hotel in Uganda, Kampala Serena Hotel.
  • Chairman of Board of Directors of Soliton Telmec Uganda, the leading telecom company in Optic fibre business managing over 80% of optic fibre in Uganda.