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Mobile commerce gaining ground in China

| November 30, 2012

 

China sees promising growth in mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is on the rise in ChinMobile Commerce Chinaa, according to a new report from Infiniti Research, a market research firm. More consumers are showing interest in mobile commerce as smart phones and tablets become more commonplace. These consumers are finding that paying for products, shopping, and even banking are more convenient using their mobile device than other methods. As such, mobile commerce has begun experiencing a swell of support from these consumers, sparking investment activity from the companies that aim to see financial gain from the growing phenomenon.

Report highlights the contributing factors to market growth

The report from Infiniti Research suggests that China’s mobile commerce sector will experience a compound annual growth rate of 41% from 2011 to 2015. The accelerating adoption of mobile devices is cited as one of the most significant factors to market growth. Growing demand for digital goods, such as catalogs, e-books, music, etc., is also contributing to the growing momentum behind mobile commerce. There is, however, a major concern that may derail some of the growth that mobile commerce is experiencing currently.

Consumers still concerned for their security

The report shows that consumers are becoming increasingly concerned for the security of their financial information. As more people participate in mobile commerce, it is becoming apparent that this sector could be an ideal target for hackers and other malicious parties that want to exploit the financial information of consumers. Many of the concerns regarding mobile commerce revolve around the use of NFC technology. This technology has, in the past, been targeted by hackers as an easy way to attain access to a consumer’s financial information.

Mobile commerce expanding throughout Asia

Despite issues regarding security, mobile commerce is expected to continue growing in popularity amongst Chinese consumers. The concept has also been receiving growing support throughout the rest of the Asian market, where mobile devices are becoming more common. Asia is quickly establishing itself as the mobile commerce hub of the world.

Scan reaches major milestone with QR codes

| November 30, 2012

 

QR Codes Scan ResearchScan delivers 25 million copies of its software

Despite reports that QR codes are unpopular amongst consumers and are diminishing in popularity, Scan, leading barcode scanner makers, has announced that its scanning application of the same name have been downloaded 25 million times. The company is now offering version 2.0 of its software, which provides a number of new features that are meant to make consumers more interested in scanning QR codes and other barcodes. As in previous versions of the software, Scan touts simplicity as the best way to provide service to consumers.

Software allows consumers to scan various types of barcodes

The new version of Scan is simple to use; users only need to point their mobile device at a QR code or other barcode and the application will do the rest of the work. The scanner recognizes QR, UPC, EAN, and ISBN codes and is available for the iPad Mini and the iPhone 5. The software can even make use of a device’s flash to allow its camera to scan codes in the dark.

Platform can help businesses keep track of QR codes

Scan has been growing steadily for more than a year. The company was founded in 2011 and was able to raise more than $1.7 million in financing earlier this year. Scan provides numerous services based on QR codes, such as code generation for websites, business cards, and billboards. Businesses can use the Scan platform to keep track of the performance of the QR codes they use, allowing them to tweak the reach of their marketing campaigns to better suit the demographic that is using their codes the most.

QR codes growing in popularity as mobile commerce devices

Scan notes that it processes more than 27 million codes every month. This suggests that QR codes are much more popular than some might believe. The codes have been gaining momentum as a mobile commerce tool, which may be part of the reason why they have been seeing more use in recent months. Retailers, in particular, are showing interest in QR codes because of their potential use as a sales mechanism for mobile consumers.