Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the popular discounted shopping events held on November 27 and 30 respectively, often attract healthy spending in the lead up to Christmas.
However, one survey of Australian shoppers found buyers’ preferences are likely to change during this year’s four-day spree.
Hubbed, a parcel collection network, who surveyed more than 1,000 Australian shoppers, found consumers this year would be more focussed on sustainability, security, and reliability.
They found six new shopper preferences that retailers could expect this Black Friday and Cyber Monday:
1. Shoppers will seek out small Australian brands and stores. The majority of Aussie shoppers will want to support Australian businesses and look for deals from smaller shopping sites or brands. A recent Hubbed survey revealed that 82 per cent of online shoppers say they are more likely to buy from small businesses now than before the pandemic, in the hope of supporting the small business sector in its recovery. If they do purchase from large shopping platforms, 95 per cent of respondents say they would like to see large retailers source their stock from smaller, local businesses and use small Australian suppliers.
2. They will prefer retailers and brands with a low carbon footprint. It is widely reported that the economic shutdowns led to lower emissions and cleaner air. The Hubbed survey found that 87 per cent of shoppers want online retailers and courier companies to continue to find ways to reduce carbon emissions.
3. Shoppers would like retailers to digitise receipts or use recycled paper. More than half (54 per cent) of consumers would like retailers to reduce or eliminate paper by going digital for essential purchase and delivery documentation such as receipts and packing slips. Three quarters (77 per cent) would like retailers to use recycled paper and other recycled materials in their packing and delivery documentation.
4. They prefer bulk deliveries. Major shopping events such as Black Friday and Cyber Monday can often lead to bulk purchases. However, shoppers are tired of receiving multiple shipments from the one order. Hubbed research revealed that 56 per cent of Aussies want retailers to consolidate deliveries of a single order in one shipment or incentivise consumers to recycle their packaging.
5. Shoppers now seek more options for parcel deliveries. Shopping online is convenient; parcel pick-up is often not. Hubbed found that 22 per cent of online shoppers had to arrive at work late or leave early to collect parcels, and 41 per cent have left parcels at a collection point for days, because they were unable to collect them during business hours. Consumers want to be given more options for picking up their purchases at a time and place that suits them. More than half (55 per cent) of consumers who shop online believe would like retailers to deliver their parcels to local, centralised ‘hubs’, such as petrol stations and convenience stores, from where they can collect their goods after hours. Forty-two (42) per would prefer to pick up their purchases from a self-service parcel locker.
6. Shoppers prefer secure parcel delivery. Hubbed found that 60 per cent of shoppers would be more likely to shop online if they had secure parcel delivery options. Twenty-three (23) per cent opt for signature-on-delivery, to reduce the likelihood of theft at the door.
Hubbed CEO David McLean said from the research, “we know that there continues to be an increasing focus on sustainability with a preference for delivery to locations that reduce logistics, carbon emissions and congestion”.
“The security of deliveries when items are left on doorsteps, especially when considering contactless delivery is also of concern to many shoppers,” he said.
“The last mile of the customer purchase journey is the only touchpoint between the retailer and customer.
“This presents an opportunity for the retailer to differentiate its brand from competitors by offering premium delivery choices.
“Consumers really do look for the reliability and convenience these choices offer.”