Search Engagement for Retailers and Quick-Service Restaurants Increases in April, According to New Findings By Rio SEO

Data from over 170,000 GBP listings show increased engagement with retail and quick-service restaurant listings.

Recent findings by Rio SEO, the leading provider of an all-in-one local marketing platform proven to increase online visibility, revealed an increase in quick-service restaurant and retailer’s national local consumer search behavior trends month-over-month (MoM) in April.

The retail and quick-service restaurant industries were the only two industries studied that saw an increase in search MoM across all eight verticals. Collectively, both verticals saw a:

• 6% increase in total listing views
• 5% increase in total searches
• 3% increase in total clicks
• 2% increase in clicks to website
• 4% increase in clicks for directions

Sit-down restaurants also saw a 2% increase in total listing views and a 4% increase in total searches.

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According to ABC News April retail sales increased by .9% compared to March 2022. Even adjusting for inflation, which was .3% on a monthly bias in April, sales increased, furthering Rio SEO’s findings. There are several factors enabling consumers to keep spending while prices soar. Wages and salaries are increasing to keep up with the inflation rates and there is currently a strong hiring boost. This does not negate the fact that inflation rates have disrupted many retailers and have forced consumers to adjust and prioritize their spending habits.

“We are seeing consumers provide critical support to the economy even with prices spiraling higher for food, clothes, gas and rent,” said Ryan Weber, director of client success, Rio SEO. “However, it is hard not to acknowledge that inflation and prices have had a toll on many Americans. I am interested to see how spending and search tilts as we get closer to summer, a historically popular discretionary spending season.”

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Additionally, Rio SEO reviewed year-over-year trends, seeing continued gains in listing views and searches across most verticals. Hotels, service businesses, quick-service restaurants, healthcare brands, retailers and sit-down restaurants collectively saw an increase in both total searches and total listing views. Collectively, those verticals saw a:

• 21% average increase in total listing views
• 14% average increase in total searches

April 2022 marked the twelfth consecutive month for which restaurant revenue was up more than 10% over the corresponding pre-pandemic monthly number, according to Nation’s Restaurant News. Restaurants, especially quick-service restaurants, are increasing prices at a more modest rate than retail groceries, enticing consumers to spend more on eating out rather than prepping meals and shopping at the local supermarket.

“It is encouraging to see spending and consumer sentiment exceed pre-pandemic numbers,” added Weber. “Consumer confidence fell slightly compared to March. Vacations and spring break trips cooled down, explaining the slight decrease MoM in travel search. Looking ahead, the war on Ukraine and inflation concerns will likely continue to affect consumer spending and their priorities.”