New Poq Data Confirms Shopping App Traffic Grew by 240% on Black Friday 2019

LONDON and NEW YORK , Dec. 5, 2019 /PRNewswire/ -- Shopping app platform Poq has today announced its latest findings from Black Friday and Cyber Monday 2019. Initial results show that like-for-like app traffic grew 240% on Black Friday 2019 compared to 2018 in the company's latest research into shopping behaviour on apps. With shoppers spending a staggering 387,336 hours in shopping apps on Black Friday, which is a 105% increase from 2018.

The research examined consumer behaviour for over 45 shopping apps ranging from global fashion brands to furniture and beauty retailers. The findings show the continued preference from consumers for shopping on apps over the biggest sales days, as more shoppers chose to shop this way. 

Highlights of the research findings:

• Like-for-like app traffic grew 240% on Black Friday 2019 compared to 2018
• 387,336 hours spent in shopping apps on Black Friday which is a 105% increase from 2018
• Shoppers spent more time in apps than mobile web (3.7x) and desktop (2.1x) from Black Friday to Cyber Monday
• App share of traffic continued to greater than desktop throughout November
• More app shoppers saved products to their wishlists ahead of Black Friday; Black Friday sees more purchases of saved items and impulse buys

Not only did shoppers spend more time in app per shopper than they did on desktop (2.1x more time) and mobile web (3.7x more time) across the weekend from Black Friday to Cyber Monday, but they prepared for Black Friday much earlier too.

Data shows that shoppers engaged more with apps in the run-up to Black Friday, with a higher percentage of app shoppers using the wishlist functionality in the days leading up to Black Friday. There are two main explanations for this; firstly, that app shoppers are saving products on the run-up to Black Friday and making purchases on the day, or that app shoppers make impulse buys on Black Friday and add items straight to their basket and not the wishlist. Poq suggests that the reason for this is likely a combination of the two.

Along with shoppers spending more time on app overall, shoppers engaged more within apps on Black Friday too. App shoppers spent an average of 2 minutes 20 seconds watching 'App Stories' - a similar shoppable feature to Instagram Stories, showing video, images and even GIFs for a short period of time. Additionally, using the Swipe-to-Like feature - similar to Tinder, where shoppers swipe left or right on products images to 'like' or 'dislike' products, to dismiss them or add them to their wishlist. There was an average of 33 swipes per shopper. These engaging shopping experiences drove shoppers to spend more time on the apps, engage with brands further and discover more products.

Oyvind Henriksen, CEO and Co-Founder at Poq commented: "It is encouraging to see that apps are a driving force behind the biggest Black Friday to date. We have uncovered a growing trend of shoppers spending more time in app and engaging more with in-app content. Looking ahead, we expect this trend to grow in 2020, with apps not just overtaking desktop in terms of traffic but for apps to overtake desktop revenue also."

Notes:

See the full results: http://poqcommerce.com/black-friday-2019/

About Poq:

Poq is a Software-as-a-Service platform that empowers retailers to create highly effective and fully customised native apps. Apps that allow them to engage with shoppers, sell more products, deepen customer loyalty and deliver highly relevant content, communications and rewards.

The Poq platform is the result of years of focus on shopping apps and is proven to increase conversion rates and revenue. Regular major releases ensure retailer's apps are up-to-date and ahead of the curve. Clients include global brands and retailers, such as PrettyLittleThing, Missguided, Holland & Barrett, Belk, LoveCrafts, the Cotton On Group and FeelUnique.