Summary
"Off to University in the UK - 2018" report forms part of the Retail Occasions series, and offers a comprehensive overview of the major retail occasion of students starting and returning back to university, analysing the market, the major players, the main trends and consumer attitudes.
Scope
- The rise in average spend negates the impact of fewer students going to university. Though fewer students going to university dampened demand for off to university products, this was offset by increasing average spend across most off to university categories.
- International students present an opportunity for retailers. The number of EU and non-EU students accepted to study at university in the UK rose in 2018, giving retailers access an opportunity to win new customers.
- The discounters and supermarkets are increasing their share of off to university spend. As students’ budgets are becoming more stretched, value for money and low prices continue to be the most important factors for off to university shoppers.
Reasons to buy
- Use our in-depth consumer insight to learn which off to university categories are shopped the most by consumers and to ensure that product offerings are catering to the needs and wants of customers.
- Understand what drives consumers to use a retailer for their purchases, such as convenience, value for money and delivery options in order to maximise sales potential.
- Use our in-depth analysis to understand which retailers are leading in certain off to university categories.
- Use our average spend data to understand how much consumers are prepared to pay in each off to university category.
Companies Mentioned
Home Bargains
John Lewis
Next
Wilko
Amazon
IKEA
Topshop
The Range
Blackwell's
Debenhams
Poundland
Argos
Primark
Tesco
Dunelm
Asda
B&M
Lidl
Sainsbury's
Boots
Superdrug
Body Care
The Body Shop
GAME
Dixons Carphone
Apple
New Look
H&M
TK Maxx
JD Sports
River Island
ASOS
Zara
Sports Direct
Ted Baker
WH Smith
The Works
Waterstones
Staples/Office Outlet
Morrisons
AO.com
iTunes/iBook/App Store
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Table of Contents
THE KEY FINDINGS
The Key Findings
Rise in average spend negates the impact of fewer students going to university
International students present an opportunity for retailers
Discounters and supermarkets are increasing their share of off to university spend
Trend insight - stores
Trend insight - online
Trend insight - social media - Instagram
Trend insight - social media - Facebook
Trend insight - social media - Twitter
CONSUMER ATTITUDES
Key findings
Who off to university items were bought for
Promotions and offers
Off to university spending
Off to university statements
Net agreement by shopper type
Off to university statements about buying food
Retailer selection
Retailer ratings - grocers
Retailer ratings - non-food retailers
OFF TO UNIVERSITY
Key findings
Retailer selection
Channel usage
Channel usage conversion rates
Device usage
Fulfilment
Buying dynamics
METHODOLOGY
Technical details: consumer survey work
List of Tables
Off to university statements: net agreement by shopper type
Channel usage for browsing and purchasing off to university products: conversion rates
Bedroom products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on bedroom items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for bedroom items, 2018 and 2017
Bathroom products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on bathroom items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for bathroom items, 2018 and 2017
Kitchen products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on kitchen items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for kitchen items, 2018 and 2017
Utility products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on utility items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for utility items, 2018 and 2017
Health & beauty products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on health & beauty items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for health & beauty items, 2018 and 2017
Electricals products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on electricals items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for electricals items, 2018 and 2017
Clothing & footwear products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on clothing & footwear items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for clothing & footwear items, 2018 and 2017
Accessories products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on accessories items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for accessories items, 2018 and 2017
General stationery products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on general stationery items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for general stationery items, 2018 and 2017
Books purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on books, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for books, 2018 and 2017
Entertainment products purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on entertainment items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for entertainment items, 2018 and 2017
Miscellaneous items purchased, 2018 and 2017
Average spend on miscellaneous items, 2018 and 2017
Retailers used for miscellaneous items, 2018 and 2017
List of Figures
Who people are buying off to university items for, 2018 and 2017
Appealing and purchased promotions
Off to university spending for different categories, 2018 and 2017
Off to university statements
Off to university statements about buying food
Drivers of retailer selection: important and most important factors
Channel usage for browsing and purchasing off to university products
Device usage for browsing and purchasing off to university products
Fulfilment options for off to university purchases made online, 2018 and 2017
Bedroom penetration by demographic
Bathroom penetration by demographic
Kitchen penetration by demographic
Utility penetration by demographic
Health & beauty penetration by demographic
Electricals penetration by demographic
Clothing & footwear penetration by demographic
General stationery penetration by demographic
Books penetration by demographic
Entertainment penetration by demographic
Miscellaneous items penetration by demographic
Planned/impulse purchases - bedroom
Planned/impulse purchases - bathroom
Planned/impulse purchases - kitchen
Planned/impulse purchases - utility
Planned/impulse purchases - health & beauty
Planned/impulse purchases - electricals
Planned/impulse purchases - clothing
Planned/impulse purchases - accessories
Planned/impulse purchases - stationery
Planned/impulse purchases - books
Planned/impulse purchases - entertainment
Planned/impulse purchases - miscellaneous items
