Study: Mobile "Showroomers" Generally Buy In Stores, 18–34-Year-Olds Most Active | Public Relations & Social Marketing Insight | Scoop.it

We learned over the weekend how prominent mobile devices were in the Black Friday shopping melee. And while a growing number of purchases are happening on mobile devices, smartphones are primarily being used by consumers to find store locations, check hours information and do price comparisons while in stores.


In a new mobile shopping study, using Prosper Insight survey data, the IAB examined the attitudes and self-reported behaviors of different age groups. It found shopping activity that was broadly consistent but varied somewhat by age category, with 18–34-year- olds emerging as the most aggressive group when it comes to mobile “showrooming.”


The IAB defines “showrooming” very expansively to refer to in-store mobile price comparison activity and not necessarily in-store shopping with a premeditated intent to buy online (e.g., via Amazon). Using this definition, the IAB analysis found that the majority of those doing in-store mobile price comparisons were still inclined to buy in physical retail stores....