Spirits Shopping this Christmas : Expectations vs. In Store Reality

Our recent survey revealed intriguing insights into shoppers' spirits-buying intentions as we approach the peak buying period.?

Key Findings:

1. Occasional Indulgence: 70% of shoppers are occasional spirits buyers, primarily purchasing for special occasions like Christmas.
2. Gifting Trends: Standalone spirits are preferred over gift sets for gifting. But is this due to limited in-store options?
3. Purchase Drivers: Price, familiar brands, and flavour top the list. A significant number will trade up to a premium brand for Christmas or buy a product that has a particular Christmas theme
4. Spending Patterns: While most plan to buy the same amount as last year, they expect to spend 15% more, potentially leading to last-minute discount hunting or opting for unbranded products.
5. In-Store Decisions: Most shoppers, particularly women, will enter the store with an open mind and choose what to buy when at the fixture. But will Shoppers be inspired to try new and special products for Christmas if their appeal is obscured by security measures??

So the key question: Will the in-store experience align with shopper expectations??

Or will this lead to frustration and missed opportunities for both consumers and retailers.

The In-Store Shopper feedback:

With many stores implementing strict security measures, such as netting and locked screens, how will shoppers navigate their decision-making process?

• Will security tags deter impulse purchases or brand switching?
• How will limited access to products impact the discovery of new brands or Christmas-themed offerings?
• Could the lack of easily accessible gift sets be driving the preference for standalone spirits in gifting?

Last weekend Shoppers told us about their buying experience across major retailers including Waitrose, Tesco, Morrisons, Asda, and Sainsbury's and how that compared with Lidl and Aldi.?

Results will be published at the end of this week, providing crucial insights to how these in-store challenges affect consumer behaviour, what Spirits Shoppers will buy and why?

#RetailInsights #ChristmasShopping #SpiritsIndustry #ConsumerBehavior