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 […]
technology
Technology and Older Consumers – The Opportunities

Here’s a succinct explanation of the opportunities for technology with the 50-plus market; services purchased by older people; services purchased on behalf of older people; services traded between older and younger people; and services delivered to future older people. The explanation comes from an article in Forbes magazine which is worth a read if for no other reason than to be updated […]
Wearables and VR vie for Seniors at CES 2019

Among the predictable array of devices for seniors, wearables and VR are the technologies to watch. A few of the ‘ageing specific’ devices unveiled at CES 2019 as posted here on phys.org. Pillo, an all-in-one pill dispenser, personal digital assistant, and communication device ($500 + $50 per month) CarePredict, a wearable tech band that can […]
Switched-on Boomers are streaming, posting and multi-screening in growing numbers

Research from Nielsen Australia reveals that Baby Boomers (defined as consumers aged between 55 and 74) are 16% more likely to feel financially secure than the average Australian. They are 43% more likely to spend on extras, and are reluctant savers. Time and money With more financial freedom and the time to enjoy it, Baby […]
Smart Speakers Gaining Traction Among Older Consumers

While most might think that Smart Speakers appeal only to Millennials or the young, usage has grown almost 40% among older consumers (Americans 65+) in the past year. Granted that many have received the speaker as a gift from family, but the fact is that the Smart Speaker is a product that could have been designed […]
Americas Largest Electronics Retailer Gets Serious About Older Customers

Best Buy has announced it will buy the owner of Jitterbug cell phones and medical alert devices designed for older customers. Buying GreatCall (the company behind Jitterbug) allows Best Buy to expand its customer base overnight. Best Buy is gambling that if it can attract older customers, it might be able to position itself as […]
Ageing adults have the second highest adoption of digital health tech

Despite having the greatest demand for healthcare services, the chronically ill older people are the least likely to leverage digital health technologies. This according to research conducted by Rock Health covering 4,000 U.S. adults. Extremely low rates of live video telemedicine use, digital health goal tracking, and wearable use might indicate an issue far larger than […]
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 consumers unworthy of innovation?

Why is it that innovation seems to be the unique domain of younger consumers? Each year I look forward to The Future 100 report published by JWTIntelligence. It’s a snapshot of the year ahead and the most compelling trends, themes and phenomena. A fascinating read which you can download via the link here. However, there’s something […]
Buying Grandparents tech gadgets for Christmas? Think first.

It’s almost inevitable that tech gadgets will feature on a Christmas list these days. But when buying for older people, you need to think more carefully. The old joke about buying a drill kit for the wife’s birthday applies equally when buying for parents and grandparents. Are we buying because WE think the device is […]