New Study: How Are Grocery Shoppers Advancing Their Use Of Digital Media?

Connecting with Modern Grocery Shoppers, a new report developed by Brick Meets Click (BMC) in partnership with Grocery Shopping Network (GSN), will be released April 19. GSN took the lead in assembling the 23,000 shoppers who participated in the survey, and provided support and guidance throughout the project. Brick Meets Click developed and executed the survey, research and analysis.

"This study draws the most complete picture to date of how grocery shoppers are blending old and new media to make food purchasing decisions," says Bill Bishop, Chief Architect of Brick Meets Click and Chairman of Willard Bishop. "It will help food retailers and their suppliers more effectively manage the transition to a mix of print and digital communications."

The large sample, with 23,000 shoppers and targeted focus on digitally engaged grocery shoppers, enabled the research to look deeply into the minds of these leading-edge shoppers. As a result, it delivers critical insights into key aspects of grocery shopping in today's increasingly multi-channel environment. From a marketing perspective, the new data will help in developing a better understanding of how digital trends are impacting shopper behavior, what shoppers find valuable on their grocer's website, what digital resources engaged shoppers use for information, and which digital communication platforms are effectively engaging shoppers of different ages. Among the findings:

• 80% of these shoppers still find the printed circular helpful, but the web is not far behind; almost 70% report they find online ads helpful.
• Price isn't the sole driver of trips to retailer websites. Shoppers find non-price value in scanning recipes (71%) and building online shopping lists (58%).
• Digitally engaged shoppers show a lot of interest in adding grocery shopping apps: 21% have and use them, and 40% are considering adding them.
• 76% of digitally engaged shoppers still write shopping lists by hand.

"The study confirms that today's shopper is combining online planning with in-store visits to make their grocery shopping more informed, cost-effective and enjoyable," says Scott Lutz, CEO & President at GSN. "It's a candid, independent assessment that will help us better meet shopper needs."

"Working regularly with retailers and suppliers, it is clear the information will deliver real value," says Steve Bishop, Managing Director at BMC. "It's "game on" in 2012, and we believe these findings will help organizations reduce vulnerabilities and blind spots that may be obscuring new competitive issues."

About Brick Meets Click
Brick Meets Click is dedicated to creating cutting-edge thought leadership on how consumer technology use is influencing the future of shopping, changing retail business models, and realigning trade partnerships. To promote discussion and idea-sharing about the increasingly multi-channel shopping experience, BMC publishes a wide variety of content at www.brickmeetsclick.com. To assist companies who are navigating the new environment, BMC offers information and advisory services.

About the Grocery Shopping Network (GSN)
The Grocery Shopping Network, Inc. offers digital shopper planning and marketing tools for grocery retailers, Consumer Packaged Goods, and most importantly, shoppers. GSN's goal is to provide a more valuable digital planning tool for grocery shoppers that will make their shopping experience (whether online or in-store) significantly better. The result of this improved shopper engagement is increased loyalty and revenue to their grocer, and more effective marketing vehicles for the Consumer Packaged Goods firms that partner with them. GSN's expanding suite of shopper solutions includes integrated website, mobile, social and digital advertising software and programs designed to stand alone or enhance and extend existing efforts.

SOURCE: Brick Meets Click