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Insight of the Day: Most consumers say retail website search functions need 'upgrade'

Consumer Dissatisfaction:

  • 42% of online shoppers give product discovery experiences a "C" grade or lower.

  • 68% say search functions on retail websites need improvement.

  • 44% of shoppers take at least 3 minutes to find products, 21% take at least 8 minutes.

  • 41% of shoppers frequently or always reformulate search queries.

  • 44% feel treated like strangers with generic recommendations.

  • Only 32% find product discovery enjoyable.

Mobile and GenAI Adoption:

  • 61% do at least half of their online shopping on mobile, 21% do all shopping on mobile.

  • 51% have tried GenAI tools, up from 29% last year.

Challenges and Opportunities:

  • 80% of shoppers are often unsure what to buy when they visit e-commerce sites.

  • 32% find it difficult to find the right items when unsure.

  • 61% would be willing to let an AI shopping assistant help them when unsure.

Key Takeaways:

  • Retailers need to improve product discovery and search experiences.

  • Personalization is crucial to avoid treating customers like strangers.

  • Mobile optimization is essential, as a majority of shoppers use mobile devices.

  • GenAI presents an opportunity to assist shoppers who are unsure what to buy.

Trends:

  • Increasing consumer expectations for seamless and personalized online shopping experiences.

  • Growing adoption of mobile devices for online shopping.

  • Rising interest in GenAI tools to assist with product discovery.

Consumer Motivation:

  • Find products quickly and easily.

  • Receive personalized recommendations.

  • Get assistance when unsure what to buy.

Driving Trends:

  • Advancements in technology, including AI and mobile devices.

  • Shift towards online shopping, accelerated by the pandemic.

  • Increasing competition in the e-commerce space.

Target Audience:

  • Online shoppers in the U.S. and the U.K.

  • Age range not specified in the summary, but 44% of those 60+ are open to AI assistance.

Product/Service:

  • E-commerce platforms and retail websites

Conclusions:

  • Retailers have significant room for improvement in product discovery and search.

  • Investing in personalization and AI-powered tools can enhance the shopping experience and drive sales.

  • Mobile optimization and GenAI adoption are key trends to watch.

Implications for Brands:

  • Prioritize improving search and product discovery functionalities.

  • Invest in personalization to provide tailored recommendations.

  • Explore the use of AI to assist shoppers and offer a more guided experience.

  • Optimize websites for mobile devices.

Implications for Society:

  • Potential for increased online shopping and reduced reliance on brick-and-mortar stores.

  • Increased expectations for personalized and efficient online experiences.

  • Potential for AI to play a larger role in shaping consumer choices.

Implications for Consumers:

  • Improved shopping experiences with better search and personalization.

  • More assistance in finding products, especially when unsure what to buy.

  • Potential for increased exposure to targeted advertising and recommendations.

Implications for the Future:

  • Continued growth of e-commerce and mobile shopping.

  • Increased adoption of AI-powered tools for product discovery and personalization.

  • Higher expectations from consumers for seamless and enjoyable online shopping experiences.

Consumer Trend:

  • Demand for personalized and efficient online shopping experiences

Consumer Sub Trend:

  • Growing openness to AI-powered shopping assistants

Big Social Trend:

  • Shift towards online shopping and reliance on technology for product discovery

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