Latest research blog posts.

Experiential CX looks to be a key factor in Retail’s continued resurgence.

The Office for National Statistics (ONS) stated recently that all sectors of the economy returned to growth, helping to lift gross domestic product by 0.8% in January compared to the previous month, driven by a rise in consumer-facing services and people getting back to eating and drinking out in pubs and restaurants.

So here we are in Spring 2022. Daffodils are popping up and bobbing their heads up to the tune of bird call and things feel a lot more positive all round, right? And the retail sector is no different. Whilst it’s clearly been a challenging two years, a casual look through the latest sector news reveals plenty to be feeling good about.

According to our latest Mind The Gap research findings, it’s looking like all the hard work retail and hospitality has put into experience is paying off.

We are proud to announce the return of our Mind the Gap research. It’s a completely free-to-access consumer behaviour research hub for the retail and hospitality sectors.

It’s hard to think of more joyous, euphoric moments of communal togetherness than when England have won a big match and the open bars of ‘Three Lions’ start up

A recent survey of over 15,000 consumers placed ‘experience’ at the heart of retail, with 81% of respondents saying they’d pay more for it.

Startle’s research into the retail experience reveals that half (49.9%) of shoppers think it is just as relaxing now compared to pre-lockdown, but half of them are intending to shop less regularly now, post lockdown.

Startle’s research into the retail experience reveals that only 20% of shoppers think the sound of people would improve retail experience, with over half of shoppers finding the experience less sociable than pre-lockdown.

Startle’s research into the retail experience reveals that 47.5% of regular post-lockdown shoppers think that the atmosphere would be improved by music, a trend that is consistent across July and August.

Startle’s research into the pub experience reveals that 35.8% of the UK population have been back to the pub since lockdown ended, a figure that has increased 3-fold since July (12.9%). Yet nearly two thirds (62.1%) still think it is less fun than before lockdown.

Startle’s research into the retail experience reveals that 35% of shoppers have now been back to physical stores, but the majority (60.1%) still think it is less fun than pre-lockdown.