4 ways jewelry advertising can shine brighter with today’s consumers
November 05, 2021 | By: Matt Miller, Sr. Content and Editorial Manager
Putting on a beautiful necklace, a stunning bracelet, or sparkling earrings can be a way to look and feel great—even if you’re wearing them from the comfort of your own home. Even with more consumers spending more time at home during the pandemic, the jewelry industry is expected to grow annually by 3.01% over the next four years, according to 2021 Statista data.1 Experts say that with limited travel, customers are finding other ways to spend their disposable income, such as on jewelry purchases. US engagement and wedding ring sales have also soared in recent months, as previously postponed nuptials are starting to taking place.2 In March and April of 2021, jewelry sales on Amazon nearly tripled year over year. Even at home, customers are still inspired to accessorize with both fine jewelry (costing more than $500) and fashion jewelry (costing less than $500).
In March, Kantar and Amazon Ads surveyed 1,000 US shoppers to better understand jewelry shoppers and their path to purchase. Here are four takeaways for jewelry brands to better understand how customers today are shopping.
1. Jewelry shopping is shifting to online
From the rise of athleisure to the cozy slipper boom, fashion trends have shifted in recent years. The jewelry industry has also seen some changes recently. In 2019, 68% of jewelry shoppers said they preferred buying in a physical store.3 But that sentiment has changed in the last 18 months.4 According to the Kantar and Amazon Ads survey, 75% of fashion jewelry shoppers and 66% of fine jewelry shoppers said they also purchased jewelry products online.5 Additionally, 57% of jewelry shoppers surveyed said they would be comfortable buying fine jewelry online.6 This marks a distinct shift in an industry that was predominantly brick-and-mortar-focused only a few years ago.
2. An omni-channel experience is key to connecting with jewelry shoppers
With online jewelry shopping increasing, it’s important for brands to meet customers with an omni-channel strategy. More than 70% of shoppers surveyed by Kantar and Amazon Ads said they research online while shopping for jewelry.7 This is why brands may want to consider creating a consistent shopping experience across online and in-person shopping. Offering services like in-person pickup can be a bonus for customers that are doing a hybrid of in-person and online shopping.
Shoppers surveyed by Amazon Ads and Kantar said that when they choose to shop in a physical store, it’s because they prefer the experience of trying jewelry on and testing the feel of the product and material.8 Brands may try to recreate that experience in online stores through immersive real-time content on Amazon Live, where customers can see influencers interact with products and ask questions. Brands can also use video ads to provide a detailed 360 degree view of their products.
3. Jewelry shoppers are often undecided about the brand they’ll buy
The Amazon Ads and Kantar survey found that 83% of jewelry purchases are made within a week.9 Given this narrow window, jewelry brands may want to be prepared to connect with customers before and during this path to purchase. This is why brands may want to consider adopting an always-on approach to reach audiences across this shopping journey.
Customers are also shopping for jewelry as gifts year-round. Birthdays and anniversaries are among the most popular occasions for shoppers to buy jewelry as a gift, along with the holidays and Valentine’s Day.10 Brands that only focus advertising around big calendar events might miss out on reaching customers shopping year-round for birthday and anniversary gifts. Brands that want to reach customers shopping for birthdays and anniversaries may want to consider and always-on approach. Because 96% of jewelry shoppers said they stream their TV content, a successful always-on strategy for jewelry brands could include Streaming TV ads and online video ads to reach audiences across Amazon-affiliated sites like IMDb.com and Twitch, devices like Fire TV, and across the web.11
4. Reach jewelry shoppers at any point in their journey with an always-on approach
Finding the perfect necklace, or earrings, or bracelet can mean shoppers are browsing through a number of different brands throughout their path to purchase. 69% of shoppers surveyed by Kantar and Amazon Ads said they were undecided about what brand to purchase from the start of their journeys.12 This highlights the importance of reaching shoppers ahead of their journeys so that your brand is top of mind when shoppers begin their research. Advertising can help. In fact, 41% of shoppers surveyed said they bought jewelry after seeing the product advertised.13 Additionally, 50% of jewelry shoppers said they visited Amazon in the early phases of their journeys, highlighting the opportunity to reach these audiences ahead of their purchase decisions.14
Brands may want to consider reaching undecided shoppers through products like Sponsored Brands and Sponsored Products. To help shoppers research products and make informed buying decisions, brands can also consider showcasing their offerings in their Amazon storefront.
Whether shoppers are buying a piece of jewelry for themselves, a loved one, or for a special occasion, brands have an opportunity to connect with these shoppers in meaningful ways to help inform them on their purchasing journey.
Sources
1 Statista, Jewelry, 2021
2 New York Times, Even in a Pandemic, Fine Jewelry is Selling, 2020
3 Statista, The Retail Jeweler, 2019
4-14 Kantar and Amazon Ads jewelry study, March 2021