D2C Digest #77 | 61% of Americans shop online every week

Hey there, great people of the D2C community who are building fantastic things! This is your host Berkay writing.

Take a 5-minute break and dive into D2C Digest for a quick overview of what’s happening in the D2C market worldwide!

🤑 61% of Americans shop online every week

DHL eCommerce recently published a report on their 2024 data for the US market ahead of the peak season—and there are some interesting insights.

According to DHL, To capture holiday shoppers and position for long-term growth, merchants should focus on these seven insights:

1️⃣ Frequent Shoppers: With 61% of Americans shopping online weekly—primarily for clothing, electronics, and health products—the demand is there for fresh deals and product options.

2️⃣ Delivery Variety: Delivery options are make-or-break, with 94% saying they impact their choice of retailer. Home delivery, parcel lockers, and more flexible choices can boost conversions.

3️⃣ Subscription Services: Nearly half of U.S. shoppers subscribe to online services, especially pet-related subscriptions. This trend suggests that a well-designed subscription model could drive repeat sales.

4️⃣ Social Media Influence: Social media inspires 61% of shoppers, with 26% buying directly on platforms. Building a presence here isn’t optional; it’s essential for visibility.

5️⃣ Marketplace Presence: Almost all U.S. shoppers buy from marketplaces like Amazon, Walmart, and eBay, so maintaining a strong presence on these platforms is key to reaching the widest audience.

6️⃣ Cross-Border Confidence: 37% shop internationally, with top countries including China, the U.K., and France. Simplified returns build trust for cross-border buyers.

7️⃣ Sustainability Focus: While 58% care about sustainability, they don’t want extra costs. Offering eco-friendly options without added fees can attract these shoppers.

What is your take on these insights?

Americans

⏰ When to post on social media?

It’s an age-old question: When is the best time to post on social media?

Recently I came across Hootsuite’s data study with Critical Truth, where they analyzed over 1 million social posts across industries and platforms to uncover the best times to post by platform. The study focused on identifying peak engagement times based on factors like audience activity, platform usage patterns, and engagement metrics. Data was localized across 118 countries, ensuring that results were accurate for each time zone.

I thought it might be useful. Here’s what they found:

Overall Best Time for 2024: Wednesdays at 8:00 AM.

Platform-Specific Best Times:

  • Facebook: Saturdays at 7 AM
  • Instagram: Wednesdays, 5-7 AM
  • Twitter (X): Mondays & Tuesdays, 10 AM-1 PM
  • LinkedIn: Weekdays, 7 AM-8 PM
  • TikTok: Thursdays at 3 PM
  • Threads: Tuesdays at 8 AM
  • Pinterest: Fridays at 12 PM

Takeaway: While knowing peak times is helpful, don’t overlook time zones, audience behavior, and industry norms to find the best posting strategy for your brand.

Keep up with the social media hustle!

🤓 88% of Southeast Asians use AI for purchasing

A recent study by Lazada reveals that 88% of Southeast Asian online shoppers rely on AI-generated recommendations when making purchase decisions.

Just WOW—88% percent!

Conducted with Kantar, the survey collected responses from 6,038 shoppers across six countries, including the Philippines.

It highlights a strong trust in AI for personalized product suggestions, with 92% of respondents favoring AI-powered recommendations and 90% valuing AI-generated product summaries.

The report emphasizes consumer motivation, showing that:

  • 52% of shoppers appreciate AI for its convenience and
  • 51% value in-depth, relevant product reviews

Popular AI features like chatbots (63%), visual searches (52%), and translation tools (53%) are recognized, though adoption still lags slightly, with usage under 50% for each.

Interestingly, 83% of respondents are willing to pay more for AI-enhanced shopping experiences, indicating a shift in consumer preferences toward more personalized, interactive, and enjoyable online shopping.

🤔 I wonder how the numbers are in Europe and Northern America. Any ideas?

D2C DIGEST

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