CivicScience is a consumer analytics and advertising platform that captures over one million survey responses daily. Turn real-time data into actionable insights here.
1. One-third of online shoppers have recently refrained from making a purchase due to the cost of shipping.
Back-to-school and early holiday shopping are ramping up, but with economic uncertainty and tariffs in the mix this year, shipping is playing a particularly key role in purchasing decisions for online shoppers.
Fresh data from CivicScience show that about one in three consumers have skipped a purchase in the last six months due to expensive shipping. Roughly the same proportion say they’ve added products to their cart to get free shipping or opted for slower delivery to reduce costs. Meanwhile, just 11% paid more to receive their orders faster, and 21% didn’t buy because the shipping timeline was too long.
In particular, shoppers who regularly consult online reviews are notably more likely to consider shipping fees when deciding what to buy.
2. Nearly 6 in 10 respondents say they’re more likely to shop at retailers with price-matching policies.
Many retailers offer price-matching policies, but how much do consumers care about them? New CivicScience data find that 58% of shoppers report that they are more likely to shop at retailers with price-matching policies, including 23% who are ‘much more’ likely to shop at these retailers. Americans under 45 lead the way in driving interest in price-matching policies, but interest is strong across all age groups.
Take Our Poll: How often do you personally use price matching at retailers?
3. Back-to-school shopping splits as K-12 buyers focus on deals and basics, while college shoppers choose broader and tech-focused picks.
As August makes a peak back-to-school season for many, CivicScience examined how shopping behaviors vary between buyers for K-12 students and those preparing for college or trade school. The data show sales and discounts matter more to K-12 shoppers, with 57% rating them as ‘very’ important versus 41% of college or trade school shoppers.
These groups also show clear differences in where they shop and what they buy. K-12 shoppers overwhelmingly turn to big box stores and prioritize essentials like clothes, notebooks, writing supplies, and backpacks. Meanwhile, college and trade school shoppers spread their purchases across a broader range of stores and lean more toward electronics and dorm décor.
