Men Outspend Women: Survey Shatters Gendered Stereotypes In Shopping

Girls love shopping. Period. Like every single aspect of our existence, shopping also couldn’t escape the gendered lens of assigning stereotypes. But, is this what we believe in?

Well, not anymore, it seems. The age-old stereotype that girls just love shopping may need a major update. A recent survey, titled "Digital Retail Channels and Consumers: The Indian Perspective", conducted by the Centre for Digital Transformation (CDT) under IIM Ahmedabad, throws a curveball, revealing that men actually outspend women on online shopping by a whopping 36%.

Men Outspend Women!

Spanning 25 states in India and encompassing a staggering 35,000 participants, the survey reveals a surprising trend. Authored by Pankaj Setia, Swanand Deodhar, and Ujjwal Dadhich, the report delves deeper into the shopping preferences of both men and women. While fashion remains a popular category for both genders, with 47% of men and 58% of women browsing for clothes online, men clearly have a bigger appetite for online retail therapy. 

The study also debunks the notion that men only shop for electronics – while 23% of men search for gadgets online, a surprising 16% of women join them in the tech hunt.

Tier 2 Taking Fashion Forward

Interestingly, the survey highlights a notable trend in shopping behaviour across different city tiers. Contrary to expectations, consumers from Tier-2 cities such as Jaipur, Lucknow, Nagpur, and Kochi exhibit a higher propensity to spend on fashion and electronic products online. The report reveals that consumers from Tier-2 cities allocate 63% more expenditure on fashion and 21% more on electronic devices compared to their Tier-1 counterparts.

COD Reigns Supreme

The preference for Cash on Delivery (COD) also emerges as a dominant trend, particularly in the realm of fashion and clothing products, with a staggering 87% opting for this mode of payment.

"In doing exclusive shopping for fashion and clothing products, consumers in Tier 2 cities have the highest per capita spending," the report asserts, highlighting the evolving consumer landscape and the significant role played by digital retail channels in shaping purchasing behaviours.

This survey not only challenges pre-conceived notions about who shops and how, but also highlights the potential of Tier-2 cities as a major driving force in India's e-commerce boom. As online shopping evolves, understanding these changing consumer preferences and behaviours will be crucial for retailers and brands to reach the right audience and tailor their offerings effectively. So, it seems the next time you're browsing online, remember: boys will be shoppers too, and they might just be spending more than you think!