Shoppers are buying back-to-school items earlier, and they’re determined to stretch every dollar, often tapping digital tools to hunt for bargains, according to recent Coresight Research data. To make an impact, retailers should focus on value messaging and make sure shoppers using AI can find the deals their stores are offering.
“Consumers have wholeheartedly adopted AI chatbots and can use them to find value,” says John Harmon, managing director of technology research for Coresight Research. More than half the 1,000+ shoppers surveyed said they’ve already used or may plan to use AI tools like ChatGPT or AI chatbots on retailer websites to help them compare prices and find deals. Harmon says this gives retailers and brands an opportunity to use AI-related technology to reach shoppers and turn browsing into sales.
It’s not all about technology, though. “Shoppers are still highly influenced by in-store advertising,” according to Harmon. The upshot: Promoting value in brick-and-mortar locations can be a winning strategy too.
While all shoppers expect to spend more as a result of inflation and tariffs, higher-income earners and urban consumers plan to outlay more than other categories. Because consumers are being careful about where and how they spend, shoppers at all income levels rank “quality and reliability highly” in their choice of stores and brands, Harmon notes.
With gas prices surging, people are also looking to consolidate trips, a boon for retailers who sell back-to-school staples like backpacks in addition to footwear, and for those located near other go-to school supply stores.
Also noteworthy: Shoppers are significantly less willing to consider resale for footwear than they were last year and slightly less willing to consider buying secondhand sporting goods and accessories.
The bottom line: Prioritize early-season engagement (starting now), bundled offers, and AI- or search-enabled tools that help shoppers compare, plan, and complete purchases efficiently.
Download the full report here.
The post Tips to Boost Back-to-School Sales appeared first on Footwear Plus Magazine.
