98% of shoppers use social media to find products

In the last 12 months, 99 percent of European consumers have changed the way they shop online. A large majority (98 percent) look for products on social media. At the same time, many consumers feel negatively about the economy in their country. But 47 percent expect economic improvements.

These data come from the newest European Ecommerce Report from payment service provider Mollie. During July and August, 5,000 consumers in Belgium, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom were surveyed. Out of all surveyed, only 41 consumers said they had not changed their shopping behaviors in the last year.

Positive expectations about economy

According to the report, more than half (51 percent) of consumers feel negative about the economic situation in their country. Additionally, 17 percent feel very negative. However, 47 percent of those surveyed think that the economy will improve in their country in the next six to twelve months.

‘10% of European consumers expect they will spend a lot more in the next 6-12 months.’

This optimism is also visible in the consumers’ planned depending. In the next twelve months, 47 percent of consumers think that they will spend more. Even 10 percent say they will spend a lot more. A small part (20 percent) of consumers think they will be spending less.

2% of consumers do not use social media

Consumers have also changed the ways they look for products. Only 2 percent of European online shoppers do not use any social media for product research. Most shoppers prefer using YouTube (47 percent), followed by Facebook (43 percent) and Instagram (40 percent).