PORT WASHINGTON, N.Y., November 25, 2019 – Twenty-five percent of online shoppers plan to use a smartphone for holiday shopping, and they are more likely than those who use other devices to buy online and pick up in store (BOPUS), according to insights from the 2019 Holiday Purchase Intentions Survey from The NPD Group. Smaller mobile screens have been taking on more of the shopping workload in recent years, growing from just 19% two years ago, and this can be a positive thing for physical retail doors.

“The consumer’s adoption of mobile shopping can lead them to the store, where most impulse spending takes place,” said Marshal Cohen, chief industry advisor, The NPD Group. “This further demonstrates the importance of a seamless retail approach in keeping up with today’s retail environment, especially during the competitive holiday shopping season.”

The division between online and in-store shopping continues to blur as the consumer looks for more ease and flexibility in their holiday shopping experience. More than three-quarters of consumers will shop online this holiday season, and one out of every five online purchases will be picked up in the store.

Beyond shopping, both brick and click retailers can benefit from other smartphone conveniences the consumer is embracing while on the go and in stores. Twenty-two percent of consumers say they used an app to pay for holiday purchases in the store last year, and 39% of those consumers plan to use apps more often during the upcoming holiday season.

“Larger screen, desk-based options (laptops and desktops) meet the consumer’s needs to navigate and comparison shop today’s robust product assortments,” said Stephen Baker vice president, industry advisor for The NPD Group. “However, mobile shopping continues to gain traction as phone screens expand and retailer apps become more adept at offering the quick transaction experience consumers are looking for, wherever they are.”

Source: The NPD Group / 2019 U.S. Holiday Purchase Intentions

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