M&S launched pilot project focused on mobile commerce
British retailer Marks & Spencer (M&S) has taken interest in the concept of mobile payments. The retailer is gearing to launch a new pilot program in order to make mobile payments possible among its consumer base. The program is centered around a mobile application that will facilitate transactions made from a consumer’s smartphone. This program is primarily focused on the retailer’s line of coffee shops and will enable customers to take advantage of a new form of commerce that they too have been growing increasingly interested in.
Retailers begin responding to demands from consumers
Mobile commerce is becoming more common throughout the United Kingdom’s retail sector. Retailers throughout the country are beginning to see mobile commerce as a very lucrative and favorable venture, especially as more consumers rely more heavily on their mobile devices. Many of these consumers have begun to show strong favor for mobile commerce because of the convenience it represents, while others are attracted to it because of its novelty. Many retailers expect that mobile commerce will eventually become the most prolific form of commerce in the world.
M&S Digital Lab and Paddle develop new mobile commerce application
M&S has set its sights on mobile commerce in order to address customer experience. In February, the retailer launched its Digital Lab division, which is focused on using and developing technology to make the shopping experience more enjoyable for customers. The M&S Digital Lab had help building its mobile commerce application from Paddle, a technology start-up based in London.
Retail industry looking to establish a future in mobile payments
Mobile commerce was once rare in the retail industry, with many retailers showing concern for the security of mobile payments. As consumers became more comfortable with shopping for and purchasing products on their mobile devices, retailers began to grow more accepting of the concept. Now mobile commerce is on the verge of sparking a revolution in the way people pay for what they are interested in, and the retail industry is keen to not be left out of this growing trend.
Denny |
February 10, 2013
Mobile commerce spurring growth in grocery retail sector
Key Note, a market research firm based in the United Kingdom, has released a new report concerning mobile commerce and the growing prevalence on online grocery stores. Mobile shopping has become a very powerful trend among consumers in the United Kingdom and elsewhere in the world. Retailers have begun to take note of the growing demand consumers have for mobile commerce services in the online space and have been working to accommodate these people more effectively. Grocery retailers, in particular, have begun warming up to mobile commerce because of the accessibility to consumers it entails.
Report highlights the impact of online channels for retailers
According to the report, which is titled “E-Commerce: The Internet Grocery Market Market Report 2013,” suggests that grocery retailers are beginning to invest heavily in the expansion of their Internet presence. Several of these retailers are beginning to adopt mobile commerce platforms and establish comprehensive e-commerce sites to better serve a new generation of mobile consumer. The report claims that sales of groceries through online channels has grown by 127% between 2007 and 2011. This trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Consumers showing more interest in mobile commerce
The report notes that the increase in online sales for grocery retailers is largely due to the growing popularity of mobile commerce. Consumers are beginning to favor their smart phones and tablets for shopping due to the wide range of applications they have available to them. These applications make it easier to shop for products that consumers are interested in and enable consumers to purchase products using nothing but their mobile device. Some retailers offer to deliver products that have been purchased online to a consumer’s home through expedited mail, while others allow customers to pick up their products at a physical store. Consumers can also purchase products while they are in a store using their mobile device.
Retail industry expected to continue catering to mobile consumers
Mobile commerce is expected to continue growing in the retail industry, finding more acceptance as mobile technology becomes more common. Though mobile commerce has established a strong presence, it still accounts for only 3.9% of all grocery sales in the United Kingdom. Sales volumes are expected to gain momentum this year as more UK retailers adopt better mobile commerce services for consumers.
