Having trouble deciding what to buy for those on your Christmas list?
Social media sites could be the inspiration you need, according to a new study.
Social media now rivals word-of-mouth and store advertising for gaining gift ideas, a new survey by ConsumerSearch.com has found.
When it comes to shopping inspiration, the ConsumerSearch.com survey
found that 65 percent of respondents said they rely on word-of-mouth and
64 percent depend on advertisements, e-mails, and retailer websites.
Sixty-two percent, however, count on social media, including user
reviews and online wishlists, as well as a variety of content on
Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter.
Forty-one percent of the U.S. adult online population makes use of
online reviews — which, hands down, was the most popular source of gift
ideas.
On the whole, 37 percent of respondents said they conduct online and
offline research equally, while 24 percent prefer to research and shop
online, the survey found. Seventeen percent said they prefer to research
and shop in stores.
“Retailers have begun using social media more to reach shoppers with
deals and information and we can expect this trend become even more
popular over the next few years,” says Carey Rossi, editor-in-chief of
ConsumerSearch.com.
ConsumerSearch.com also had some good news for retailers. Sixty
percent of respondents indicated they will spend the same amount on
gifts as last year. Of the remaining 40 percent, half said they plan to
spend more and half said they plan to spend less. On average, consumers
plan to spend approximately $500 on Christmas gifts this year, with 12
percent planning to spend $1,000 or more.
Post from: SiteProNews
