Category: Mobile Commerce

Retailers pressured to adopt mobile commerce to engage consumers

Consumers around the world are becoming more mobile. That is, more consumers are relying on mobile technology to operate in their daily lives. Mobile technology has made many aspects of people’s lives more convenient, such as social interaction due to their constant connection to the Internet. Commerce is also being revolutionized by mobile technology and people’s growing need for convenient service. More consumers are beginning to look for alternatives to traditional, physical stores, and many have turned to mobile commerce and e-commerce.

Retailers look for ways to bridge gap between online and offline worlds

Mobile consumers are turning to the Internet to find the products and services they want to pay for. As more consumers look online, retailers are feeling the pressure to adapt or risk losing contact with a growing portion of their audience. Thus, businesses are looking for ways to close the gap that currently exists between the online and offline worlds. Few retailers are willing to abandon physical stores, so many are attempting to provide consumers with incentives to visit these stores through the use of mobile commerce.

Mobile commerce services being adopted by large retail companies

Big name retailers, such as Macy’s and Nordstrom, are working to make use of digital technologies in order to provide consumers with better in-store service. These companies have been working to broaden their reach through mobile commerce and e-commerce and, as a result, have been seeing declining in-store sales. Some consumers have even begun gravitating to online shopping platforms that are offered by other companies. This competition is driving innovation in the retail industry as companies attempt to find the best balance between mobile commerce and traditional forms of engagement.

Study predicts sales in mobile commerce to double next year

A recent study from Internet Retailer, called Mobile 400 Guide, shows that mobile commerce is growing. The study predicts that mobile commerce sales will double in 2013 as more consumers gain access to smart phones and mobile devices that are capable of facilitating mobile transactions. Retailers are feeling the need to find ways to engage consumers that are becoming increasingly enthralled in the world of mobile technology.

Apple turns away from NFC technology in pursuit of alternatives

Much of mobile commerce revolves around the use of NFC technology. The technology has proven itself useful in facilitating mobile transactions, but has also been the target of criticism because of its perceived security faults. Some of the potential problems that can be found with NFC technology were reason enough for Apple to abandon NFC in pursuit of alternatives. Apple received harsh criticism for its decision to not include NFC technology with the new iPhone 5, but the company may still have a trick up its sleeve concerning mobile commerce.

Passbook provides consumers with services concerning aspects beyond mobile transactions

Mobile commerce is often conceptualized simply as the payment for goods or services using a mobile device. There are many facets to the world of mobile commerce, however, some of which are embodied by Apple’s Passbook. Passbook is a mobile application that was introduced with iOS 6, Apple’s latest operating system. The application allows consumers to receive, manage, and use special offers they receive from retailers and loyalty programs.

Passbook proves popular with businesses and consumers

Passbook has already proven to be popular with consumers and businesses alike. Though the application cannot facilitate mobile payments, it can foster a connection between consumers and businesses and address some of the less-known aspects of mobile commerce. Indeed, Passbook is part of Apple’s new approach to mobile commerce and may be one of the company’s strongest weapons when it eventually confronts large names in the rapidly growing industry.

Apple unable to compete with Google and Isis until alternative to NFC technology found

Apple has adopted a slow and steady approach to mobile commerce that has cost it a strong position in the industry today. Because the company has chosen to forgo the use of NFC technology, it is unable to compete with Google and Isis. Though Passbook ensures that Apple retains a modest presence in the mobile commerce industry, the company will not be able to compete at the same level as Google and Isis until it can find a way to facilitate mobile transactions that does not rely on NFC technology.