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CVS takes steps to increase mobile commerce presence

| December 13, 2012

 

CVS Mobile Commerce Website UpdateCVS introduces mobile commerce updates to mobile site and application

CVS Caremark Corp. is looking to bolster its mobile commerce presence by making updates to its website and mobile application. Mobile commerce continues to attract the interest of the retail industry, especially in the wake of a record breaking Thanksgiving shopping weekend. This year, retailers have seen massive growth in the realm of mobile sales thanks to the interest consumers have been showing in mobile commerce. CVS hopes to take advantage of this by reaching out to mobile consumers in a more dynamic fashion.

Mobile site features new services for consumers

CVS has made updates to its mobile website, which now features a variety of options that are designed to help consumers keep track of their health. The company has introduced an immunization scheduler, which helps users keep track of when they can receive immunization treatments from health care professionals that visit CVS stores. Users can set up appointments for specific immunizations through the mobile site. CVS has also introduced a number of shopping enhancements that are meant to help mobile consumers find the products they are interested in.

Electronic gift cards may be big during the holiday season

Another feature that has been introduced to the mobile website are electronic gift cards. These digital cards can be purchased from the mobile website and used from a smart phone or other device to pay for goods online. These cards can be given as gifts to others, delivered via email. CVS anticipates the sale of these gift cards to skyrocket during the holiday season, especially among consumers that rely on CVS for the health care products they need, such as glucose meters for those with diabetes.

CVS may have plans to adopt in-store mobile payments in the future

CVS has also introduced several new features into its mobile application, such as a pill identifier that will help users identify the pills they are taking. The mobile application also includes several shopping features that encourage consumers to purchase products through their mobile device and online. CVS has yet to adopt in-store mobile payments, but if mobile commerce continues to grow in popularity, this service may be on its way.

Mobile commerce hits a wall in India

| December 13, 2012

 

India Mobile CommerceMobile commerce may be facing serious challenges in India

Mobile commerce may be a rapidly growing phenomenon, but it if facing hard times in India, which could be a sign of things to come in the future for the rest of the global market. Mobile commerce is a relatively simple concept: Consumers using their mobile devices to purchase products and shop both online and in-store. This concept has won the adoration of consumers around the world, but its simplicity belies the complications that are associated with running a mobile commerce business.

Problems in India may foreshadow future challenges

In India, mobile commerce has hit a sheer drop-off, in terms of adoption and support. While consumers are still showing a great deal of interest in mobile commerce, this interest largely revolves around well established e-commerce gateways that most consumers already have extensive experience with. Most major retailers offer some form of mobile commerce service to consumers, and this is not necessarily good news for smaller ventures.

Data shows mobile commerce start-ups have high mortality rate

According to data from Microsoft’s India Accelerator Program, which provide services to technology start-ups throughout India, some 379 new technology product start-ups launched in the country before October of this year. Of these, 193 were e-commerce firms that specialized in some aspect of mobile commerce. Approximately 87 of these firms no longer exist, either because they have been absorbed by larger companies or they simply could not find traction with consumers. Investors becoming leery of the prospects of mobile commerce is cited as a major reason why these firms have faced failure.

Investors leery of supporting new start-ups

Investors are beginning to show hesitance when it comes to mobile commerce. Start-ups entering the mobile commerce field often make promises that are difficult to keep and investors backing companies that end  up failing face significant financial losses. If start-ups cannot compete with major companies like Google, which has established a strong presence in mobile commerce, they are not likely to find the traction they need to be successful, thus leading investors to question the prospects of supporting mobile commerce ventures.