Across a few key areas, global trends emerge that span markets.
These graphics show the percentage of people who plan to increase their spending across each channel.
We asked consumers across which channels they plan to increase, decrease or maintain their current levels of spending.
The research shows that on a global level, online will enjoy the greatest spending increase, with 58% of consumers in China saying they plan to up their digital spend, along with 55% in Kenya, 40% in the UAE, 36% in the US, 34% in Italy, 31% in ROI and 23% in Germany and 22% in the UK.
While store sales generally sit some way behind, in both Australia and the US, 18- to 24-year-olds plan to spend more in bricks-and-mortar shops, proving that physical retail will continue to play a pivotal role in the multichannel journey.
Because of their developing nature, the top three markets for channel growth are China, Kenya and UAE.
A mixed picture emerges when consumers are asked how they prefer to pay. Online, PayPal dominates in Germany (75%) and Australia (62%), while in the US consumers are more likely to use a debit card online at 64% and in the UAE credit card is the most popular payment method at 56%. Cash on delivery is still an important payment method in the UAE at 49% and Kenya at 47%.
Newer payment methods, such as Apple Pay, are coming to the fore in certain countries. This is preferred by 22% of 18- to 24-year-olds in the UK, for example. Meanwhile, mobile payment platforms such as M-Pesa – a mobile-based money transfer and financing service – are preferred in Kenya, with 71% selecting this option. In store, cash is still king for many. It’s the payment method of choice in Australia (62%), Kenya (91%), Italy (68%), China.
About the research
The DWF and Retail Week Global Consumer 2019 report surveyed 1,000 consumers in each of the following jurisdictions: Australia, China, France, Germany, Italy, Kenya, the United Arab Emirates, the Republic of Ireland, the UK and the US. Research took place in October 2018.