Tag: mobile POS

Research shows on 2% of small businesses are using mobile POS solutions

Despite reports of the meteoric rise of mobile commerce throughout the United Kingdom, the country’s small businesses have yet to show any real enthusiasm for the mobile space. According to new research from the Kalixa Group, only 2% of the UK’s small businesses are making use of mobile point-of-sale (POS) systems. Large businesses, like prolific retail brands, tend to be more accepting of mobile commerce, but smaller companies have yet to see any significant benefit from engaging mobile consumers in an aggressive fashion.

Small businesses may not be able to justify cost of mobile POS

One of the major barriers preventing small businesses from entering into the mobile space is cash flow. Mobile POS solutions allow these businesses to accept mobile payments, but these solutions tend to be somewhat expensive. Small businesses can rarely justify the extra cost of solutions that may not represent a sufficient return on investment. While some studies have shown that mobile consumers are more inclined to spend money when shopping, this may only be the case with larger businesses that offer a wide range of products and not so with specialty retailers and niche businesses.

Companies are opting to focus on digital space rather than support mobile payments

Small businesses are, indeed, interested in engaging mobile consumers, but are not yet willing to embrace mobile payments. Many small businesses are working to bolster their mobile presence by engaging consumers digitally, ensuring that their websites and other digital platforms are mobile friendly. While they are working on engaging mobile consumers on the digital plane, they are also beginning to focus more on mobile security to prepare for a potential future in mobile commerce.

Small businesses concerned about threats of the digital world

Kaliva’s research shows that most small businesses in the United Kingdom are primarily concerned with the security of mobile commerce. Many believe that the mobile space is simply not secure enough, leaving them exposed to significant financial risks. These businesses are beginning to take steps to ensure that they and their customers are sufficiently protected against digital threats.

The daily deals giant is working on clawing its way back to relevance with the “Gnome”.

Groupon, the massive daily deals website that had been a tremendous success before it nearly brought itself to the point of annihilation, has entered into the mobile payments market in an effort to try to restore some of its former victories in the online world.

It is hoping that its new Gnome point of sale (POS) system will be its new road to glory.

This launch represents the first time that Groupon has moved into the mobile payments POS market. Its Gnome is a platform that is based on the iPad. It is designed to be a solution that will eliminate the requirement for using paper coupons that must be clipped and submitted by the shopper. However, this is also supposed to represent the end of having to display a discount coupon on a smartphone screen at a physical retailers checkout counter, as well.

The Gnome platform uses Bluetooth to be able to apply the discounts at the mobile payments terminal.

The pronunciation of the platform’s name is “G-nome”, as opposed to pronouncing it with a silent “G” as in the tiny fantasy people. Aside from using Bluetooth, the customer’s name can also be used for the redemption of Groupon vouchers at a merchant’s location. It also allows the business to be able to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter to be able to share customer feedback.

Groupon’s CEO, Eric Lefkofsky, explained this new platform by saying that “When it’s complete, Gnome will serve as an operating system for merchants to run their entire operation and enable them to create real-time promotions that bring customers into their business when they need them the most.”

He added that this mobile payments platform is “an important step” for the company to be able to achieve its “long-term mission” of designing a way for the merchants around the world will be able to remain continually connected to the local commerce platform at Groupon. The Gnome device will become available within the next few months, according to the announcement from the company.