Asian-American women are shaping brands and products through trendsetting buying behaviors heavily influenced by a global perspective and multicultural sensibility. According to a new Nielsen report, Asian-American Women: Digitally Fluent with an Intercultural Mindset, at an average age of 36, Asian-American females are overwhelmingly multilingual, diverse and have a cross-cultural mindset firmly rooted in the values and traditions of their native countries.
Asian-American women are tech-savvy jetsetters. This group is in a constant state of discovering new content and consumer products as they travel the world, juggle family and pursue professional goals. At work, 39 percent of Asian-American women are entrepreneurs, and 46 percent say their goal is to make it to the top of their profession. When it comes to spending, they’re not afraid to demand brands and products that support and speak to their values or personal goals: setting the stage for trends that are yet to hit the mainstream marketplace.
“For brands, this fast-growing, young and digitally fluent consumer segment’s ability to influence trends cannot be ignored,” said Mariko Carpenter, vice president of Strategic Community Alliances at Nielsen, in a news release. “Asian-American females are the group to watch. At 19 percent, Asian-American women comprise the largest group to immigrate to the United States between 2010 and 2015. Highly educated and adventurous, Asian-American females are not only discovering new products and experiences as they explore the world, but they are also using social media to create shareable content that influences the marketplace.”
This new report is part of Nielsen’s ongoing efforts to provide insights that help marketers better understand and serve Asian-American consumers, who are the fastest growing U.S. racial group, having increased 47% in population growth the last 10 years. This report is the first of the three-part 2017 Diverse Intelligence Series that will focus on women of color, with the Hispanic and African American installments being released later this year.
“Nielsen continues to prove it is the definitive source of data and insights on consumers of color,” said Sharmila Fowler, member of Nielsen’s Asian Pacific American External Advisory Council, in the release. “Culturally relevant data about our multifaceted community are a vital tool for delivering better products, services and content to Asian Americans. This is why it is so important for consumers of color to say ‘yes’ if the opportunity to participate in a Nielsen survey or panel arises.”
Highlights of Asian American Women: Digitally Fluent with an Intercultural Mindset:
Ambicultural with an immigrant edge
- The U.S.-born Asian-American female population is growing faster than the foreign-born population, with 60% growth vs. 43% respectively since 2005
- 78% of U.S.-born Asian-American women are age 34 or younger
- About half of all U.S. foreign students are from China, India and South Korea
- 16% of Asian-American females ethnically identify as two or more races
Savvy shoppers
- 76% of Asian-American women will pay for a brand they trust, even if it is slightly more expensive
- 71% try to buy foods grown locally where they live
- 42% used natural or organic beauty products in the last 12 months (10% higher than non-Hispanic White women)
Jetsetters
- 54% of Asian-American women have traveled outside the continental U.S. in the last three years, which is 67% higher than non-Hispanic White women
- 12% took a foreign business trip during the last three years (2.6 times the percentage of non-Hispanic White women)
- 14% took a domestic business trip in the last 12 months (55% more than non-Hispanic White women)
Tech and digital content mavens
- Asian-American women have the highest smartphone penetration of any racial or ethnic group in the U.S.
- Asian-American women over-index against the total population for computer, tablet and video game ownership
- 83% of Asian-American women have used a social networking site in the past 30 days, with Snapchat having the highest reach, over-indexing by 23% compared to total women
- Asian-American women over-index on communication apps such as Skype, GroupMe, WhatsApp and Hangouts
- 66% of Asian-American females use online banking, 22% higher than the total adult population
Download Asian American Women: Digitally Fluent with an Intercultural Mindset here.
