Business news : New Research on Digital Trends for the Active Lifestyle Consumer From The Good

Portland, Oregon, Nov 26, 2013 -
The Digital Trends for the Active Lifestyle Consumer Report, a new report reflecting research and insights on active lifestyle consumers’ outdoor and athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment in store and online shopping and purchasing habits, is now available, according to Shaun Tinney, The Good’s director of research and strategy.

The Good is a digital agency whose web, mobile and in store experiences help brands grow lasting relationships with active lifestyle consumers.

“This research confirms for us that today’s busy active consumers are gravitating toward brands and retailers who provide the best shopping and purchasing experiences on and offline. Brands that want to grow relationships with these buyers will need to start demonstrating a clear benefit to getting products and information straight from the source,” says Tinney.

The Digital Trends for the Active Lifestyle Consumer Report is based on the results of an online survey of 527 qualified active lifestyle consumers about their current shopping and purchasing habits for athletic apparel, footwear, and equipment.

The research revealed strong preferences in activity participation and insights into research, shopping, and purchase behaviors of active consumers. 
For example:

Most active consumers identified as “solo athletes” enabling them to be active in spite of busy lifestyles.  
Personal training activities such as running, yoga and Pilates, provide active consumers with maximum time flexibility, and flexible group activities such as Crossfit and obstacle runs are springing up to bring them together.

Most search online first but many active consumers visit a site just one time before purchase. 
Purchasing behaviors mirrored this group’s need to optimize their time and so when contemplating a purchase the starting point for all but five percent was online research. But half of participants said they typically visit a site only once before purchasing, indicating the importance of a frictionless online experience – as there may be no second chance to capture that sale.

To overcome the Amazon effect, brands must give consumers a compelling reason to go “to the source.” 
This need for flexibility and efficiency is causing consumers to start and often end their product search with a purchase on Amazon – because it is often the result they see first when searching online. When consumers did visit a brand site, they expected to find detailed information “from the source” as well as credible customer reviews. This desire for flexibility and efficiency extended to checking out, with half preferring to check out as a Guest.

The 2013 Digital Trends for the Active Lifestyle Consumer Report also offers detailed information on active consumer buying patterns as well as brand and product preferences. View the report (email registration is required).

For more information about the Digital Trends for the Active Lifestyle Consumer Report or to schedule an interview, contact Shaun Tinney at shaun@thegood.com or via phone at (503) 488-5935.

By press release