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5 Ways Mobile Shoppers Reach Stores by Reaching for their Smartphones

Mobile Shoppers, Smartphones
Today, more and more shoppers are reaching for their smartphones for every step of shopping, from browsing to buying. In fact, Google data revealed a 120% increase in mobile shopping-related searches last year. This opens up outstanding opportunities for brands to reach shoppers with targeted messages at every point of purchase, from search to sale. Now, recent Google research and search data have revealed many important insights on the best ways to connect with mobile shoppers at every stage. And ThinkwithGoogle.com featured the top five takeaways to bag more mobile shoppers.

1. Shoppers Look to their Smartphones Before Looking in Stores
Today, the retail experience begins via mobile. According to research from retail giant Target and cellular company Sprint:

  • Around 75% of Target visitors start their shopping experiences on mobile devices.
  • One-third of consumers who click on a Target mobile search ad will visit a Target retail store.
  • About 25% of consumers who click on a Sprint mobile search ad will visit a Sprint retail store.

2. Consumers Crave Local Location Information
Shoppers are increasingly searching online for local store information. Google research showed that 50% of consumers who searched for local locations of stores on their smartphones went to the store within one day. And 18% of those mobile searches resulted in a purchase.

3. Ads About Local Store Stock Persuade Shoppers to Visit
Surprisingly, 25% of shoppers avoid visiting a store if they are unsure of whether a product is available at the location. But retailers can overcome this obstacle by simply using Local Inventory Ads to show a store’s current stock to online searchers. These ads worked for Sears Hometown and Outlet Stores, which had a 122% increase in store visits after using this approach. And bringing in more shoppers brings in higher sales and a greater return on investment, with Local Inventory Ads driving eight dollars worth of in-store sales for every dollar spent.

4. Shopping Both Online and Offline Rings Up More Spending
Offering omni-channel points of purchase results in higher spending. Customers purchased an average of 250% more when they shopped at both the online and offline locations of a retailer, according to MasterCard. And omni-channel shoppers were eight times more valuable to Macy’s than single-channel shoppers.

5. Smartphones are the Latest Way to Research Retail
According to a Google/Ipsos study, 82% of shoppers consult their smartphones about purchases before making them in a store. These shoppers are searching for ratings, reviews, and recommendations. With this retail research driving consumer purchase, it’s wise for stores to make information instantly accessible by encouraging customers to leave their product feedback online for easy reference.

Clearly, mobile is a means to driving shopping behavior. That’s why stores need to make the most of mobile channels and create compelling experiences that let them connect to shoppers at the moments that matter most.

Find out what matters in mobile marketing. Contact MDG.

MDG, a full-service advertising agency with offices in Boca Raton and New York, NY, is one of Florida’s top branding firms. MDG’s capabilities include print advertising, direct mail marketing, branding, logo design, creative, media buying and planning, radio and TV advertising, outdoor, newspaper, digital marketing, website design and development, online video advertising, infographic development, email marketing, video marketing, mobile marketing, content marketing, social media marketing, paid search marketing, and SEO. To learn about the latest trends in advertising and branding, contact MDG.