A New Year, a Shift in Shopping Behaviors

Supply chain issues have been front and center for months, ushering in everything from rising prices and fewer products on retail shelves to new levels of shopping frustration. While not  drastically impacted by the situation, these supply chain-related trends are influencing shopping expectations and buying decision-making. For example, 67% of the participants in our latest survey say they will move on to other product options if a first choice is not readily available. And a whopping 71% of respondents report that researching products online is now a go-to first step for pre-purchasing considerations. The latter statistic is a particularly important development for the textile community; If not already underway, investing in an up-to-date user-friendly textile website and engaging social media platforms should be top of mind in the year ahead for suppliers. Smart textiles are another area to watch. Survey participants who said the social aspect of their workout routine was “very important,” were more likely to buy apparel that features wearable technology. Smart fabrics may see a bump in popularity as more consumers continue to look for new ways to connect in today’s changing social landscape.