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Selling to Millennials with online reviews

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  • Mangold, W. Glynn
  • Smith, Katherine Taken

Abstract

Millennials have heavily influenced social media's evolution into an important source of product information. They are increasingly basing their product evaluations on information gathered from online reviews. Thus, companies targeting Millennials may wish to pay heed to online reviews. Which products are affected by Millennials’ online reviews? Do the reviews tend to be positive or negative? Where do Millennial customers look for information amongst the plethora of online venues? As presented herein, a survey of 227 Millennials reveals that this generation is undeniably posting reviews online and being influenced by these reviews. Respondents show a definite preference for two online venues, Facebook and company websites, when voicing their opinions. Reviews are broken down by positive and negative comments, and how product categories fare for each type. Contrary to popular thinking, the respondents were more prone to post positive reviews than negative reviews. Males voice their opinions online significantly more often than females, and specific gender differences are observed by product category. Recommendations are provided for selling to Millennials by leveraging online reviews.

Suggested Citation

  • Mangold, W. Glynn & Smith, Katherine Taken, 2012. "Selling to Millennials with online reviews," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 55(2), pages 141-153.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:bushor:v:55:y:2012:i:2:p:141-153
    DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2011.11.001
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    16. Patria Laksamana, 2018. "Impact of Social Media Marketing on Purchase Intention and Brand Loyalty: Evidence from Indonesia’s Banking Industry," International Review of Management and Marketing, Econjournals, vol. 8(1), pages 13-18.
    17. Faulds, David J. & Mangold, W. Glynn & Raju, P.S. & Valsalan, Sarath, 2018. "The mobile shopping revolution: Redefining the consumer decision process," Business Horizons, Elsevier, vol. 61(2), pages 323-338.
    18. Peter Konhäusner & Bing Shang & Dan-Cristian Dabija, 2021. "Application of the 4Es in Online Crowdfunding Platforms: A Comparative Perspective of Germany and China," JRFM, MDPI, vol. 14(2), pages 1-19, January.
    19. Lissitsa, Sabina & Kol, Ofrit, 2016. "Generation X vs. Generation Y – A decade of online shopping," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 31(C), pages 304-312.
    20. Yeneneh Tamirat Negash & Massoud Moslehpour & Pei-Kuan Lin & Shao-Chun Chiu & Yung-Yen Liu, 2021. "Mapping Generation Y Tourists’ E-Loyalty: A Sustainable Framework through Hierarchical Structure and Fuzzy Set Theory," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(9), pages 1-22, April.
    21. Johnstone, Leanne & Lindh, Cecilia, 2022. "Sustainably sustaining (online) fashion consumption: Using influencers to promote sustainable (un)planned behaviour in Europe's millennials," Journal of Retailing and Consumer Services, Elsevier, vol. 64(C).

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