Ownership of smartphones among China’s ageing consumers (over 50 years) was half the share in America in 2016. Yet once on the internet, they spend big. We’ve been saying this stuff for years yet it would seem that now China’s tech companies are waking up to this massive opportunity. Consider; In 2017 ageing consumers in […]
online
Telcos need to stop patronising and start understanding their older customers
As with so many business categories, telcos seem youth-obsessed and are adopting an out-dated and sometimes ageist approach to their valuable and loyal, older customers. Telcos the world over are under threat so they should be doing all in their marketing power to hold on to their customers. Back in 2012, I wrote about Sprint’s Active […]
Are older users taking over Facebook?
Data just out shows that the fastest growing segment of Facebook users are over 55 years with more than 1 million extra users over 65 years-old expected to join this year in the USA alone. In the UK too, the largest growth will be among older users, with 500,000 new users 55+ expected to join […]
China’s online shopping behemoth wants Senior Experience Officers – Under 60’s need not apply!
Taobao, the online shopping mall, wants to hire two Chinese senior citizens, influential in their social circles and maintaining “harmonious” relationships with their children. They must also have at least one year of online shopping experience. Why the fuss? With well over 760 million product listings (March 2013), Taobao is one of the world’s most visited […]
23 billion reasons not to forget the older Chinese online shopper
While it may be true that 70% of Tmall customers are aged 24~32, let’s not overlook the power of the older Chinese online shopper. Tmall data suggests that among their older shoppers, 75% of customers are aged 50-59 and almost 20% are in their 60’s. Tmall.com, formerly Taobao – an independent business under Alibaba Group, […]
Tech adoption shows that older consumers are smashing stereotypes
If evidence were needed to prove the folly of outdated stereotypes, look no further than the rates of tech adoption among older consumers. While it is true that seniors consistently have lower rates of technology adoption compared with younger ‘digital natives’ take a look at some findings from this Pew Research report. Although based on the […]
Make an e-tail experience fit for all ages? Change everything and nothing.
The economic might of older shoppers and their often underestimated tech savviness, means that e-tail experiences should be designed to appeal to older and younger shoppers alike. What needs to change? Everything and nothing. Before we get to that, let’s look at some research findings from Klarna UK; comparing the online shopping behaviour of younger […]
Smart Homes must enable ageless living
A recent article from Accenture reminds us that the ‘smart home’ is expected to add $14 trillion in economic value to the global economy by 2030. It will provide a myriad Internet of Things services and consumer and enterprise applications. This is potentially a huge opportunity. The Accenture report claims that for Communications Service Providers […]
App taps into the lucrative, time-rich market of China’s park dancers
Anyone who has visited China will have seen the hordes of park dancers who flock to the public parks to get their daily dose of exercise and socialisation. A few years ago while in China advising one of the worlds leading sportswear brands on the ageing consumer, I suggested that the company could develop a […]
75% of older consumers of luxury brands are ready for omnichannel interactions. Surprised?
Luxury brands lag other consumer sectors when it comes to understanding and applying digital technologies, according to a “Digital or Die” report from BCG; and the speed of technology development is endangering their current business models. Importantly, the report cautions that younger consumers are by no means the only ones pulling luxury brands toward digital. Fully […]
