Performics unveiled its 2011 Social Shopping Study, conducted by ROI Research, which found men are more likely than women to conduct five of six social shopping activities. Contradicting commonly held beliefs about gender and social behaviors, the study showed men more frequently research product information, read reviews, compare products, find product availability and get store information via social networks, shopping and deal sites; while women reign supreme when searching for deals, coupons and specials on similar sites.
Occasionally Or Frequently Visit Social Networks When Shopping | |
Reason For Visit | % Visiting Frequently Or Occasionally |
Searching for product | 87% |
Just before committing to purchase | 83 |
After purchase to share | 57 |
While in store or website | 55 |
Source: Preformics/ROIresearch, October 2011 |
Aside from Facebook, men frequent social networks (at least once a month) substantially more than women:
Dana Todd, SVP, marketing and business development for Performics, says that “Women... control about 80% of household spending... (but it’s) surprising for some to see men play a more dominant role in the social shopping process... (study) results are helpful for marketers... many may not have considered specifically targeting men in social ads.”
Aside from key gender differences, the study also revealed that active social networkers most often turn to shopping sites like Amazon, eBay or brand websites to begin the purchase process when searching for a product (87%) and right before they commit to a purchase (83%). They are more likely to turn to social networks such as Facebook immediately after the purchase to share their experience (59%).
Frequently or Occasionally Visit to Company/Brand/Products On Social Networking Sites During And After the Purchase Decision Process | ||
Subset | During Purchase Process | “Like” After Purchase |
Total | 68% | 75% |
Men | 71 | 72 |
Women | 64 | 78 |
Age 18-29 | 74 | 82 |
30-49 | 73 | 80 |
50+ | 56 | 64 |
Source: Preformics/ROIresearch, October 2011 |
Todd added “Many people have integrated social media in all phases of the shopping process... but it’s not all about social activity; shopping and deal sites are certainly holding their own and offer an excellent opportunity for marketers to participate with customers... ”
Online activity while shopping in-store is also gaining popularity—many respondents said they occasionally or frequently conduct in-store social or search activities. In fact:
Willing to Wait Time on Social Network for Feedback Before Purchase | |
Wait Time | % of Respondents |
Less than 5 minutes | 19% |
5-10 minutes | 41 |
10-20 minutes | 22 |
More than 20 minutes | 18 |
Source: Preformics/ROIresearch, October 2011 |
The study explored the role of social networks, shopping sites and deal sites across many different aspects of the shopping experience, including phases of the purchase process, product categories, in-store shopping behaviors, gender differences and more.
Respondents Who Have Social Network Sites With An Active Account (e.g. Visit At Least Once A Month; All That Apply; % of Respondents) | ||
Site | Men | Women |
96% | 97% | |
YouTube | 54 | 34 |
37 | 24 | |
Google+ | 36 | 24 |
MySpace | 31 | 20 |
Source: Preformics/ROIresearch, October 2011 |
Shopping Sites Visited Once A Month (All That Apply) | |
Site | Frequency Of Visit |
Amazon | 69% |
EBay | 53 |
Retailer | 52 |
Google shopping | 27 |
Yahoo! Shopping | 23 |
Bing Shopping | 13 |
Source: Preformics/ROIresearch, October 2011 |
For a copy of the study’s summary of findings, or to view or download an accompanying infographic, please visit Performics here.