• 38% of men, but just 29% of women own a smartphone.
• Facebook is used by 56% of people – 60% of women, but just 52% of men.
• 14% of men shop using apps, but only 8% of women do.
• 27% of male shoppers use price comparison sites, while only 19% of women do.

Retailers are proving to be the gateways for brands, with 75% of people visiting retail websites, but less than half that number – 33% – going to brand websites.

Meanwhile, 63% of shoppers will buy through either a retail or brand website. For social media campaigns, this figure falls to 6%.

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Using social media, the main reasons for connecting with brands was found to be:

• 32% – finding out something new
• 23% – for brands to connect with them
• 24% – to be sold something by brands
• 12% – for brands or retailers to help them have fun

More than half (54%) of people thought brands or retailers used social media to sell more products, while 43% thought it was “because everyone else is”.