Report: Online Canadians are virtual coupon clippers

If you spend time on the Internet, an activity shared by nearly three-quarters of all Canadians, then chances are you’re interested in downloading coupons to save cash on your next purchases.

If you spend time on the Internet, an activity shared by nearly three-quarters of all Canadians, then chances are you’re interested in downloading coupons to save cash on your next purchases.

A recent study published by Ipsos Reid relating to online coupons has found that online Canadians are interested in downloading coupons and other money-saving deals from the Internet.

Specifically, more than a half of those 2,711 surveyed nationally said they would be "extremely likely" or "very likely" to download a coupon for gasoline (58 percent) or groceries (54 percent).

Other coupon categories that interested online Canadians include restaurants (44 percent), food delivery(38 percent), consumer electronics (35 percent), hotels (34 percent), and airlines (34 percent).

"This data highlights a potentially underused channel for online advertisers and marketers to get their special offers in front of the Canadian population," said study author Mark Laver, in a statement. "Having weekly shopping coupons available on a company website could potentially be a significant driver of visitors to the website and eventually draw consumers to the ‘bricks and mortar’ retail environment. Those companies who already have coupons on their websites may need to do a better job of making sure that online Canadians are aware of these offers."

Other interesting findings from this study:

* Grocery coupons are more popular among females than males (59 percent vs. 49 percent), while consumer electronic coupons are significantly more likely to be used by males (40 percent vs. 30 percent).

* Outside of gasoline and groceries, younger Internet users (ages 18 to 34) are more likely to show an interest in downloading coupons from the Internet.

* Canadians whose household income is greater than $40,000 are more interested in coupons for gasoline, restaurants, hotels, and airfares.

Filed Under: Found on the Web