The HBC Department Store Group has launched new stronger shopping apps for its brands.

Among the latest announcements from the HBC Department Store Group is that it has now launched a new iOS mobile commerce app for both its Lord & Taylor and Hudson’s Bay retail stores.

The application has been designed to span the gap between traditional media and online shopping.

To achieve the mobile app development, HBC has been working with Pounce, a consumer facing mobile commerce application that brings together traditional media with the smartphone and tablet channel. This gives customers the ability to use their mobile devices to purchase merchandise that they have seen in print media such as flyers or catalogs. Pounce remains the only app with approval from Hudson’s Bay and Lord & Taylor which gives customers the ability to shop directly from what they are seeing in print.

This mobile commerce app gives consumers the chance to use their devices to scan images in print media.

The m-shopping app was launched in Canada immediately ahead of the start of the Winter Olympic Games, this year. The timing was deliberate as the Hudson’s Bay is the official apparel sponsor of the Paralympic and Olympic teams that Canada is sending to compete in the Sochi 2014 games. The print ads that the retailer issues just ahead of – and during – the games will be the first that will display the Pounce shopping opportunity for consumers.

Outside of Canada, the smartphone shopping app will also be launched in the United States for Lord & Taylor.

According to Michael Crotty, the HBC chief marketing officer, the purpose of this new effort is to be able to embrace the latest popular technology and combine it with traditional media. He explained that “Pounce creates the opportunity to combine offline and online channels in a seamless way. He also pointed out that the unique capability of the app provides a natural fit with the brand as they expand their omni-channel strategy. It provides not only the opportunity to continue with traditional marketing and to appeal to users of mobile devices, but also the chance to bring them together.

Report highlights the growing power of mobile commerce

Ayden, a provider of omni-channel mobile payment solutions, has released its third Mobile Payment Index report. The report covers the period of September to December 2013 and examines the trends and progress that mobile commerce found during that time. The report reiterates what similar studies have already found: Mobile commerce is growing and showing no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. Much of this growth is being partially powered by higher rates of device ownership among consumers.

20% of transactions from September to December 2013 came from mobile devices

According to the report from Ayden, approximately 20% of global transaction came from a mobile device in December 2013. This is up from 12.6% of global transactions coming from mobile devices in 2012. Travel, digital goods, gaming, retail, and ticketing are all areas where mobile payments are thriving. The report suggests that consumers are becoming more comfortable with the idea of mobile payments and are therefore beginning to trust mobile commerce platforms more readily.

iOS devices prove popular in the mobile commerce space

The report shows that iOS devices were the most popular devices when it came to mobile commerce between September and December of 2013. Approximately 41% of all mobile payments made during this four month period came from iPad devices, with 32% coming from iPhones. While iOS devices are popular with those interested in mobile commerce, Android devices have found more success within the mobile commerce space throughout the rest of 2013. Notably, tablets are considered a favorite among consumers when it comes to shopping and purchasing products online.

Retailers are gaining a better understanding of what mobile commerce is and how to engage mobile consumers

Retailers are expected to see a great deal of growth as they begin to focus on the mobile space more heavily. During the 2013 holiday season, many retailers saw a dramatic rise in mobile sales. As retailers begin to better understand consumer behavior within the mobile space, they are likely to provide consumers with better mobile services that can accommodate mobile payments more adequately.