PUBLISHED DATE: 2025-08-15 15:47:08

THE SHOPPING EXPERIENCE SURVEY

Publicis Sapient conducted a survey of consumers in five countries to understand their opinions on store experience and how retailers can tailor e-commerce and brick-and-mortar stores to fit their needs.

CONSUMERS STILL LOVE SHOPPING IN-STORE

92% of consumers prefer to shop for some items in-store rather than online.

The top items to shop for in-store are:

The top reasons to shop in-store are:

Enjoyment of In-Store Shopping by Country:

Preferred Items to Shop for In-Store (by country):

Item Type US UK France Germany Australia All
Perishable items (e.g., produce, groceries, meat) 66% 62% 66% 62% 65% 64%
Fashion (e.g., clothing, shoes, accessories) 51% 47% 54% 44% 45% 48%
Home improvement (e.g., tools, paint, appliances) 36% 33% 38% 32% 36% 35%
Luxury items (e.g., handbags, watches, jewelry) 25% 23% 28% 23% 25% 25%
None of the above 7% 8% 6% 8% 7% 7%

YOUNGER GENERATIONS EXPECT MORE FROM IN-STORE SHOPPING

Top reasons to shop in-store vs. online:

Gen Z is more likely than other age groups to shop in-store for:

They are less likely than other age groups to shop in-store to:

Gen Z (ages 18-24) were more likely than older generations to engage in in-store experiences like pop-ups, coffee shops, or product demonstrations (50% vs. 24%).

SEAMLESS EXPERIENCES BRIDGE THE PHYSICAL WITH THE DIGITAL

Frequency of Checking Retailer Inventory (always or often):

To create a seamless experience, retailers need to ensure that inventory is accurate and up to date. 43% of consumers have had an experience where the product was not available in-store, despite the website or app showing it was in stock.

Retailers can encourage app downloads through omnichannel in-app experiences. Consumers want to visualize products in their home, read customer reviews, navigate the store, play games to win prizes, or save items for style inspiration.

Motivators for Repeat Purchases and Increased Spend:

How to create connected store experiences

WHEN IT COMES TO CUSTOMER LOYALTY, DETAILS MATTER

Survey Methodology:

YouGov administered the survey among 2,700 consumers in five countries (the US, the UK, France, Germany, and Australia) in September 2022. Respondents represented online and in-store shoppers and were asked about their in-store and online shopping experiences. Publicis Sapient’s analysis covers the data in more detail to help brands create relevant selections and build better customer relationships through highly personalized and engaging store experiences.

Contact us to discuss how to apply these findings to your business.

JACKIE WALKER
Retail Experience Strategy Lead, North America
Get in touch

publicis sapient