RETAIL CURRENTS SHOPPERS AROUND THE WORLD PwC's Total Retail 2017 profiles shoppers around the world in an effort to help retailers understand the global picture and keep a beat on the shopping habits of consumers within their own domestic markets. Here's what the report says about Canadian consumers and some of their online behaviours: 38% Start online product searches on Amazon. 24% Buy products at least monthly via smartphone. 26% Think mobile sites aren't easy to use. Access the Total Retail 2017 report at www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/retail-consumer/total-retail.html. FAST-MOVING CONSUMER GOODS MOVING (SLOWLY) ONLINE According to Nielsen, sales of fast-moving consumer goods (products that are sold quickly and at relatively low cost) are growing, but at sluggish rates. MOBILE PERSONAL ASSISTANT? Automation driven by the continued development of artificial intelligence is on the rise. According to Catalyst, the sky's the limit with respect to the number of daily tasks that today's smartphone user is willing to allow their smartphone to automate. $28 trillion The total global retail market in 2017. $4 trillion The size of the fast-moving consumer goods sector, growing at a rate of just 4% year-over-year. 20% The rate of growth of total retail e-commerce, predicted to reach $4 trillion by 2020; an additional $2.1 trillion over the next four years. GEN Z/MILLENNIALS LURED BY IN-STORE TECH AND SOCIAL MEDIA LIKES HRC Retail Advisory recently conducted a study that reveals the components of today's shopping experience that are most important to Generation Z and Millennial consumers. 90% of Gen Z shoppers say that a strong wi-fi signal is important to them and their overall shopping experience. 66% of Millennials aged 18-34 said they'd be at least somewhat likely to use 'Magic Mirrors' in dressing rooms to send images through social media, which is 50% more than those aged 35 to 41. 6| CANADIAN RETAILER 68% of Millennials and 64% of Generation Z say they'd likely use a retailer's app to make an in-store purchase. 40% of both Millennials and Generation Z say they have made a purchase decision based on feedback from their social network. Additionally, 25% of Millennials say they have returned items based on feedback from social media sites, and Generation Z's return rate is as high as 62%. | THE TECHNOLOGY & E-COMMERCE ISSUEhttp://www.pwc.com/gx/en/industries/retail-consumer/total-retail.html