What 62% of Shoppers Want Right Now (And What to Do About It)

Hey there

Hello, and welcome back to another edition of eCommerce Alchemy - your one-stop destination for everything related to ecommerce growth.

Consumer habits are shifting—but not stopping. Here’s what that means for us as marketers.

I’ve been keeping a close eye on how consumer behavior is evolving, and this week, Klaviyo released something really useful: a fresh data snapshot they’re calling Consumer Pulse—a weekly update on what’s driving purchase decisions right now. And honestly, it’s something we all need in our toolkit.

So I thought I’d break it down for you. No jargon, no fluff—just the big insights and what they mean for our marketing decisions.

Consumer Pulse: A Weekly Look at What’s Shaping Shopper Behavior

What’s Changing Right Now?

Let’s start with the key shift: people are still spending—but more cautiously.

• Restaurants are likely to feel the biggest hit, with 61% of shoppers planning to cut back.

• Apparel and travel are also on the list.

• Even grocery budgets are getting tighter.

This isn’t hard sales data—it’s consumer sentiment. But sentiment is often a leading indicator. If your customers are thinking about cutting back, your marketing needs to adapt now, not later.

The good news? Consumers are doubling down on brands they already trust. And that opens a window of opportunity—if you know how to act on it.

What This Means For You

Here are the biggest insights from the pulse report—and how you can respond strategically:

1. People Still Want Deals—But From Brands They Trust

54% of consumers say discounts drive loyalty. But that doesn’t mean blanket sales.
What to do:
Use segmentation to offer smart, personalized discounts to shoppers who are price-conscious—without undercutting your entire brand. Automations like price drop alerts can do this work for you.

2. Loyalty Is Your Competitive Edge

28% of consumers are sticking with brands they already love. That’s a big deal.
What to do:
Identify your VIPs and reward them—think early access, exclusive drops, or a heartfelt thank-you. It’s easier to grow with the customers you already have than win over new ones from scratch.

3. Transparency Beats Sentiment

62% of shoppers want brands to be clear about pricing and changes.
Only 14% said a “note from the founder” really moves them.
What to do:
If pricing or product availability is shifting, be upfront. Use email or SMS to explain what’s going on. Relevance and clarity win over fluff every time.

4. Retention Is More Valuable Than Ever

With tighter budgets, consumers may reduce “extras.” Restaurants, apparel, and travel businesses—this is your cue.
What to do:
Set up retention campaigns now. Win-back flows, post-purchase follow-ups, and predictive analytics can help re-engage your best customers before they drift away.

5. Segmentation Is Your Superpower

Doing more with less? Then every message needs to hit the right person at the right time.
What to do:
Use customer insights—like RFM models and lifecycle stages—to guide your targeting. Automate where you can, personalize wherever possible.

Final Thought: Be The Brand That Understands First

The landscape’s changing fast. But that doesn’t mean you’re powerless.
With the right data and tools, you can create marketing that doesn’t just react to change—it gets ahead of it.

The brands that thrive in uncertain times aren’t the loudest. They’re the ones that listen, adapt, and stay deeply relevant to their customers.

I’ll be watching Klaviyo’s updates and continuing to share key takeaways. For now, this is your nudge to review your segments, refresh your flows, and lead with clarity. Let your customers know you’re paying attention—and that they matter.