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Vipin Porwal

Founder and CEO at Smarty and 1 other company
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Founder and CEO of Smarty and SmartyPlus. Vipin is a nationally recognized consumer expert regarding online shopping rewards and trends. He has led, developed and designed many projects in the ecommerce space in his career, with a deep understanding of online platforms, consumer behavior, user acquisition, personalization and retention.

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  • Tariffs Drive Shift to Secondhand Shopping, Says Smarty CEO
    Vipin reveals that tariffs are prompting 50% of US consumers to consider secondhand goods, with 59% of Millennials leading this shift. "Nearly half plan to buy less frequently or switch to cheaper brands." As uncertainty grows, consumers may delay major purchases, opting for savings and rewards opportunities.
  • Tariffs Prompt Shift in US Consumer Spending Habits
    Vipin notes, "49% of US consumers plan to buy less frequently due to tariffs, with 40% switching to cheaper brands." He adds, "Consumers may stock up on essentials like clothes and electronics before tariffs hit, while others delay major purchases." Savvy shoppers are advised to seek savings and rewards opportunities amid this uncertainty.
  • Black Friday 2023: Hidden Deals and Smart Shopping Tips
    Vipin advises focusing on electronics, toys, and clothing, but also exploring home goods, tools, and office supplies. He highlights niche deals on laptops and smartphones. Vipin suggests comparing cashback, warranties, and discounts for big-ticket items. "More than half of US shoppers start their holiday gift shopping during Black Friday or later," he notes.
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  • Consumers are becoming more aware of how these pricing hikes impact their daily lives. It’s clear that the extreme upswing of costs has made consumers take a second look at what they’re spending.

  • One reason BNPL is increasing in popularity is that it provides financial inclusion for people who don't have access to credit cards or any other sources of traditional loans. BNPL also comes without the interest rate for a certain timeframe. So, it can be a very good tool to purchase items that one wants to acquire now and spread out that payment.

  • Return policies now play a big role in how people buy things online, providing a competitive advantage to those retailers that can provide the easy path to return items. And the easy returns, as Smarty's Porwal says, are part of the appeal. Returning an item to a high-street store takes time, and you might have to explain yourself or end up not being able to return the item at all. With Amazon, you drop the parcel at the post office and let them scan your return QR code. If consumers trust the open box is going to be a good purchase, they'll start buying it because they can save money with confidence.

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