Retail Details: Generational Trends in Snacking

From generational trends in between-meal snacking to international cotton production, this issue’s retail trivia includes a bit of history, global market stats and some insight into what motivates online shoppers.

Did you know that Millennials are unrepentant snackers? According to research by Euromonitor, a typical Millennial eats 3.05 snacks each day. In contrast, Generation Xers eat only 2.26 snacks, and Baby Boomers stick to 1.53 snacks.

Did you know that photographs are a huge factor in a consumers’ decision to buy a garment from an online store? In one study, 60 percent of shoppers indicated that photos were one of their top three influencers. (Suppliers take note: Consumers want high-quality photos that include close-ups and images of people actually wearing the garment. Provide these types of photos to your online retailers and watch your sales soar.)

Did you know that, according to a 2015 Gallup poll, 37 percent of American workers reported that they had worked from home? On average, workers telecommute two days out of every month.

Did you know that China’s cotton farms stretch over 4,700 acres? China is the global leader in manufacturing cotton shirts, stitching over 60 million garments per year.

Did you know that the first credit cards were issued in the 1920s by retailers? The first “universal” charge card, which could be used at several participating businesses, was Diner’s Club. Diner’s Club was founded in 1950, and by 1951, it had become a credit card, allowing users to pay off their charges over time.

Did you know that major e-commerce player Groupon is headquartered at 600 W. Chicago Ave. — formerly a warehouse for mail-order pioneer Montgomery Ward? The eight-story building was built in 1908 in order to handle the work of receiving, processing and shipping millions of catalog orders. Montgomery Ward went out of business in 2001, and the property, a Chicago landmark that was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1978, was sold to developers.

Did you know that nine out of 10 convenience stores in the U.S. are open 24 hours a day? According to the National Association of Convenience Stores, there are 152,794 shops in the U.S., and 90 percent are open round-the-clock.