Consumer expectations and behaviors have shifted in several key ways as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the 2021 Data-Driven Insights Into Evolving Customer Experience Report from customer experience design company Tallwave.
More than 1,000 individuals aged 24-65+ were asked about their perceptions, behaviors and customer experiences. The data revealed that consumers want a choice for how they can interact with a brand, making retail hybrid experiences more important than ever. The report highlights the most influential components of customer experience, satisfaction and loyalty, and how organizations can transform experiences for a digital-first, hybrid, and hyper-personalized world.
Key findings from the report included:
- 50% of survey respondents reported at least one experience they won’t return to in person after the pandemic is over, signaling a shift to digital-focused consumer behaviors.
- 41% of respondents reported convenience as the primary benefit of using digital experiences during COVID-19. Price and cost savings still played a factor, averaging 20% of respondents’ primary vote.
- Older customers were more likely than younger to choose “safer” as a primary benefit of digital experiences.
I- nterest in exclusively digital experiences decreases with age, typically dropping off starting with the 45-54 age demographic. Of respondents 55 and over, 66% reported no desire to continue any type of digital experience in a post-COVID world.
“Brands that shifted quickly to digital models during the pandemic developed a more favorable impression with customers,” said Jesus Ramirez, VP of Strategy and Innovation at Tallwave. “As we move forward, the data reinforces the importance of meeting customers where they are, and giving them the option of digital and/or in-person experience.”
Whether consumers return to pre-pandemic behaviors or if the digital shifts we experienced over the past year are here to stay, the trends point to consumers seeking a seamless and personalized customer experience that they can control. Going forward retailers can win by redefining the role of the physical store and integrating CX technology at the right points in the customer journey to enhance the shopping experience.
The full report by Tallwave has been made available online at https://tallwave.com
