Home » Consumer Research » What Millennials Want from Reviews – and How it Shapes Their Shopping
What Millennials Want from Reviews – and How it Shapes Their Shopping
Posted on by PowerReviews Team
By now, ratings and reviews have become a must-have for shoppers of all ages. But Millennial consumers (those born between 1981 and 1996) are particularly avid review readers and writers.
Below is a snapshot of how Millennials engage with reviews and how the presence (or absence) of this content impacts their purchase behavior, curated from our consumer research from the past two years.
Ratings and Reviews are a Must for Millennials
Millennials turn to reviews whether they’re shopping online, in a physical store, or some combination of the two. Collecting and displaying this content is a must for any brand or retailer looking to connect with Millennials.
0%
of online shoppers read reviews at least sometimes.
0%
of Millennials specifically seek out websites with reviews.
0%
of Millennials read reviews while shopping in brick-and-mortar stores.
0%
of Millennials are less likely to buy a product if there are no reviews available for it.
A large portion of Millennial shoppers seek out photos and videos from other consumers who have already purchased and used a given product. For many, the presence (or absence) of this content within reviews can make or break a sale.
How Often Millennials Seek out Visual Content Within Reviews
Always
35%
Regularly
39%
Sometimes
24%
Never
2%
0%
of Millennials are more likely to buy a product that has reviews that include photos and videos.
Negative Reviews Fuel Smart Purchase Decisions and Bolster Trust
Negative reviews are never the aim. But for Millenials, negative reviews are an important tool that helps them make informed purchase decisions. And a lack of negative reviews raises suspicions.
0%
of Millennials seek out 1-star reviews.
0%
are suspicious of products with a perfect average star rating.
Ideal Average Star Rating, According to Millennials
Millennials return their fair share of merchandise purchased online. However, the presence of ratings and reviews can dramatically reduce return rates among this generation of shoppers.
Frequency of Merchandise Returns Among Millennials
Always
2%
Regularly
4%
Sometimes
82%
Never
12%
0%
of Millennial shoppers are less likely to return a product if they read ratings and reviews prior to purchase.
Are You Positioned for Success with Millennial Shoppers?
Millennials engage with reviews in ways that are different from any other generation. Brands and retailers can’t afford to ignore their unique needs, habits, and preferences.
Are You Positioned for Success with Millennial Shoppers?
Millennial engage with reviews in ways that are different from any other generation. Brands and retailers can’t afford to ignore their unique needs, habits, and preferences.