Older shoppers are returning to physical stores in larger numbers than their younger compatriots, the ninth “Major Purchase Journey” study by Synchrony has found. This year, 74 percent of shoppers aged 65-plus and 71 percent of shoppers aged 55 to 64 purchased in-store, compared with 66 percent and 67 percent, respectively, two years ago. This stands in contrast to shoppers in the 18-to-44 and 45-to-54 age groups, whose in-store purchases remained relatively constant over the past two years.
“Retailers should pay close attention to the trend of older shoppers coming back to physical stores,” said Michael Bopp, EVP, Chief Growth Officer at Synchrony, a consumer financial services firm. “If this behavior continues, retailers may want to consider everything from product mix to store layouts to welcome these customers.”
The study also found that 5 percent more people are obtaining financing for large purchases. Half of survey respondents said that recent price increases have led them to seek financing options and 66 percent agreed that financing makes larger purchases more affordable.
A biennial report on the latest consumer spending trends, the Synchrony study surveyed 3602 individuals who made a purchase of $500 or more in the past six months. The survey covered such categories as furniture, electronics, jewelry, appliances, flooring, home improvement and automotive.
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Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
