Pitney Bowes Inc. (NYSE:PBI), a global technology company that provides innovative products and solutions to power commerce, revealed the results of its second annual Global Online Shopping Study. The research reveals that while international shoppers share some common similarities on how they are finding and buying products online, consumers have unique global shopping preferences and behaviors that vary by country. Retailers looking to expand their brands globally should consider cultural norms and shopping preferences of consumers around the world. Pitney Bowes recently conducted its second annual Global Online Shopping Study to help gain deeper insight on consumers’ perceptions, habits and preferences for making online purchases from retailers outside their own country (our first study was conducted in 2014). The study surveyed approximately 12,000 adults across 12 countries (Aug. 2015) – Australia, Brazil, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, South Korea, Russia, the United Kingdom, and the United States.
According to the study, the top deterrents for consumers in India to complete a purchase online are:
Online return policies and processes (46 percent) where India was the highest country in the overall study that selected online return policies and processes.
What Does this Mean for Retailers and Online Marketplaces?
To build a successful global strategy, retailers and online marketplaces need to provide consumers with access to quality products they want; a convenient, consistent and personalized shopping experience across devices and digital and physical channels; clarity and accuracy in the online buying process; and certainty and transparency in delivery.
