Pre-shopping saves consumers plenty of coin

Hi all,

This press release hit my inbox today. Thought it might interest some of you...

"Pace of life, record levels of credit card debt, larger grocery bills and the general rise in the cost of living may be affecting the way consumers spend as supported by the 2008 Lasoo.com.au – User Behaviour Research Report, developed by Nielsen Online.1
 
Over half of Australian shoppers (Australian Centre for Retail Studies2) regularly use the internet to ‘pre-shop’ using sites such as Lasoo.com.au to help make the decision on what they are going to buy and from which ‘bricks and mortar retailer’– with price playing a major factor.
 
According to Lasoo’s User Behaviour Research the Internet has revolutionised how Australians shop.  The research showed that close to two thirds of consumers who went to Lasoo.com.au and subsequently purchased an item, saved approximately $20, while 15% of users saved between $101-$499 by visiting Lasoo.com.au and being told about a sale.
 
Salmat DigitalForce’s Paul Marshall said, “With household budgets tightening, more Australian’s are looking for ways to save both money and time with an increasing number of consumers turning to the internet to help them find ways to save.”
 
“Increased petrol, food, rental and mortgage costs mean more Australians are modifying their spending habits. So it’s no wonder that the trend of pre-shopping is gaining momentum in Australia, and as the research shows, seems to be helping consumers save a few pennies.” 
 
The study also points to the emerging divide between the sexes shopping behaviour with 65% of sale savvy females using Lasoo’s pre-shopping technology to identify a product at the cheapest possible rate versus 35% of male counterparts.
 
Around the nation, New South Wales has emerged as the leader in the bargain hunting with 30% of site users searching for the best price on any item. Trailing NSW and coming second in the bargain ladder is Victoria, with 25% of users now consulting pre-shopping website Lasoo.com.au to locate an item they wish to purchase. Third place goes to Queensland, with 21% of users now looking to save on their purchases.
 
“Residents in the eastern states (76%) and metro areas (69%) are more inclined to use pre-shopping tools. Nevertheless it is encouraging to see the levels of households adopting pre-shopping habits which may allow the piggy bank a little sigh of relief,” Marshall said."