Latest retail shopper insights for retailers by Guzzle

Guzzle, South Africa’s leading catalogue aggregation portal, has turned a year older. Having embarked on a major revamp of its platform, Guzzle has innovatively and progressively introduced new features designed to better serve shoppers and retailers alike.

To celebrate this birthday with shoppers and seek their input on all things retail,Guzzle conducted a survey which offered shoppers a chance to win one of 30 Takealot vouchers worth R500 each.

The quiz feedback received below gives retailers better insight into the mind and needs of shoppers.

With diverse shopping avenues available,respondents were asked how they search for shopping deals online. An incredible 80.9% said Guzzle, of course; 11.8% selected Google search, with the rest indicating catalogues from stores, store pamphlets and social media.

On the aspect of what influences their shopping habits? 95.3% said price and deal promotions were significant influencing factors, 38.4% chose product quality, 15.2% indicated brands, 6.7%emphasised the influencing ability of trends and personality, while the rest pointed to location as well as wants and needs.

While shoppers are eager to spend on great deals, there are also some deal breakers when shopping online. 54.7% of the survey feedback said delivery costs & return policies aredeal breakers, 44% are scared of being scammed, not being able to try/see/touch the product came in at 28.4%, poor site navigation and check-out systemswere at 26.4%.

South Africa is home to a long list of retailers, but shoppers have a number offavourites. Respondents’ favourite retailers include Edgars, Dis-chem, Shoprite, Pep, Clicks, Food Lovers, Farmers House, Midas, Game Stores, Checkers and Takealot.

For retailers who are curious about the current shoppers’ most significant challenge to shopping, 62% of the participating shoppers said lack of finance, 44% indicated limited and unavailable deals, limited stock from their favourite retailers came in at 30%, 17% said poor service in retail stores and lack of access to shopping facilities was at 9%.

Guzzle is a shopper’s favourite platform. A question to determine which Guzzle feature is their favourite revealed the following, all the latest catalogues from SA retailers recorded 88.6%, retailer alerts letting users know as soon as catalogues go live was at 41.5%, retailer and brand news was 19.5% and newsletters were at 15.1%.

Retailers have a responsibility to look after their customers. When asked what their favourite brand and retail store do to maintain them as customers? 85% of the shoppers selected regular promotions,making products available on Guzzle was 48%, improving customer service at 30% and opening more stores came in at 12%.

Shoppers have different reasons and influences when it comes to choosing brands. Asked to state what influences their brand choices, 74% of respondents said deals and promotions, 72% opted for pricing, quality of products was at 69%, availability 27% and social influence was at minimum 4%.

The birthday celebration survey was revealing. It allows retailers to incorporate the needs and wishes of shoppers into their retail services and products.

For improved retail market shopper reach, retailers can count on Guzzle. Between July 2022 to June 2023, 8.7 million users were glued to Guzzle to check out catalogues & retail news, generating over 119 million page views. Retailers have an excellent opportunity to advertise their print or digital catalogue and reap great returns.

Guzzle Team