Mafalda Martins The Internet was arguably the biggest revolution of the 21st century, and it continues to evolve and grow each time. This new era has reshaped the way consumers live, shop, work and interact. These changes have come about, in large part, because of the internet.
According to Euromonitor International, the number of online users has doubled since 2009, whereas in that year only 24% of the world population had access to it. Smartphones have also had a very significant influence on the increase in these numbers, as it has become possible to connect to the internet anywhere and at any time.
The Digital Consumer
The digital transformation has completely changed people’s daily lives and, consequently, companies’. Companies were forced to follow and adapt to this new digital era and to succeed in the face of the new consumer. Digital consumers have all the information they want at their fingertips, and the business world has to position itself to meet this demand. To do this, and in order to fulfill these needs, you must know your audience.
Digital Consumer and eCommerce Statistics
Euromonitor International has revealed 5 statistics that help predict digital consumer behavior this year. With this data, it is possible to predict the evolution of this Modern Age, thus allowing companies to keep up with their customers and provide them with a balanced and desired experience.
1. 50.8% of the world’s population will be online
For the first time in the history of the internet, it can be said that in 2019 more than half of the world’s population will be online. This corresponds to about 4 billion users. Communication (through chats or social networks) dominates, and will continue to dominate, online activities. However, there has been a significant increase in users making online purchases.
2. 105 million: number of Internet users from India and China
Many of the new users come from emerging markets, where their rise is justified by the ease of access and the low price of smartphones. Of the top 10 markets that should have the highest number of users, 7 are concentrated in Africa, but the largest number will be in India and China, with about 105 million new users. In order to perceive the immensity of this number, right now in the United States of America, the third largest online power, there are not even 100 million users.
3. 321.8 billion dollars: size to be reached by the online clothing and footwear market
The trade of clothing and shoes was a skepticism for many consumers, because the experience of touching and trying the product was something necessary to purchase it. However, these days, it is one of the most ascendant markets within online commerce, reaching $321.8 billion globally and is projected to increase by $37.8 billion for the year 2019. This rise, along with the increasing availability of these same products online, has driven digital shopping. This confirms the rise of eCommerce globally, which will redefine commerce as we know it and shape its future, raising the question “will online commerce ever overtake physical commerce?”
4. 66% of professionals see the Customer Journey as a priority
Digital transformation has become more than a necessity for Age 4.0 companies, and understanding the desires and expectations of their consumers has never been more important. Euromonitor International, in the year 2018, conducted a survey of 602 professionals, of which two-thirds identified Customer Journey optimization as one of the most important strategies to implement for the year 2019. It was observed that companies are increasingly trying to offer memorable and desired experiences to their consumers and according to their needs and lifestyles, focusing their activity on customers. To do this, and to ensure the success of these same actions, they resort to digital or omnichannel, offering a consistent experience across all brand channels.
5. 59% of professionals believe that Artificial Intelligence (AI) will improve consumer engagement
Artificial Intelligence is predicted to be the most significant and relevant technological advance of the next 5 years. Of the 602 professionals surveyed in Euromonitor International’s study, 60% said the impact of AI is proving more intense than other technologies such as robots, automation, the cloud and even the internet. For the year 2019 expectations are high and it is expected that Artificial Intelligence will be able to optimize consumer engagement to the point of automating and personalizing brand interactions with the customer, feature recommendations for each user, and performing more precise search on websites and search engines.
The convergence between the digital and the new consumer
In order to respond to the present needs of digital consumers, it is crucial that companies take advantage of the digital environment. The consumer is more informed, more demanding, and increasingly needs to feel part of a company with which they have a relationship.
Technologies like SALESmanago help businesses that want to adapt to the digital environment to have all the technological tools to personalize each user’s experience and make it relevant, regardless of the touchpoint.
Marketing technologies (martech) allow you to be at the forefront of digital, enabling the optimization and personalization of every customer interaction. To ease the digital transformation journey, we have created the eBook “10 Commandments of Digital Transformation” so that you can adapt to the new era and the new digital consumer.
Liminal accompanies your company throughout the process of implementing and choosing technologies, taking into account the needs of your company and your customer’s profile. Start the path to digital transformation with us and be ready to face the new challenges and trends that lie ahead for this year.
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