Tag: walmart

Wal-Mart sees a bright future ahead for mobile payments

| March 9, 2015

Retailer has taken note of the growing prominence of mobile commerce among consumers

Wal-Mart believes that its customers will embrace mobile payments more readily in the coming years. The retailer has taken note of the growth of mobile commerce as it sees more of its customers begin shopping from their mobile devices. The company has also seen a surge in the mobile traffic to its website. Wal-Mart sees a clear shift in the commerce space, but the company is not yet certain where mobile fits into this shift.

Retailers are still trying to understand the behavior of mobile consumers and how mobile payments fit into the retail space

Mobile payments are still relatively new, and retailers have not had much time to become comfortable with the concept of mobile commerce. Companies like Apple and Google have provided retailers and consumers with mobile payments services that have become quite popular, but retailers are still trying to understand the behavior of mobile consumers. Wal-Mart has been working with the Merchant Customer Exchange, a consortium comprised of large retailers that uses a mobile payments service called CurrentC.

Retailers could be left behind if their consortium does not support the mobile payments platforms that are most successful

Walmart - mobile payments futureMembers of the consortium have promised not to support other mobile payment platforms while they are a part of the Merchant Customer Exchange. This could be a problematic issue if Apple Pay, and other services, become more popular. This would leave the retailers involved in the consortium in a difficult position and make it more difficult for them to embrace mobile consumers. Wal-Mart may opt to support other mobile commerce platforms if it needs to compete more effectively in the retail market.

Wal-Mart to continue focusing on making the mobile experience more convenient

The retailer intends to make the mobile experience as convenient as possible for consumers. Convenience is one of the most attractive aspects of mobile commerce, as it allows consumers to avoid lengthy checkout lines and sometimes chaotic crowds. Wal-Mart is expected to focus on supporting convenient platforms that will appeal to consumers that have an interest in mobile payments.

Canadian retailers may experience some turbulence due to mobile commerce

| October 21, 2014

Retailers in Canada might have trouble engaging mobile consumers

Canadian retailers may be in for a turbulent holiday season. Price wars and consumers skittish about mobile and e-commerce may put retailers under significant strain this year during the months of November and December. The growing prevalence of mobile commerce, in particular, may make it harder for some retailers to find traction with many people. These retailers have been investing heavily in their mobile infrastructure, but they may not see returns due to the fact that many consumers are not yet comfortable with the idea of shopping online with a mobile device.

WalMart sees troubling trends emerge in the retail market

WalMart has big plans for the holiday season, as usual, but the company notes that it is seeing trends emerge in the global market that could be trouble for the retail industry. According to David Cheesewright, president of WalMart’s international division, growing competition from companies like Amazon may present problems for traditional retailers. Traditional retailers are having price skirmishes with online companies, and consumers are beginning to favor the latter because of the digital services they offer.

Consumers comfortable with mobile shopping are visiting physical stores less frequently

Canada - Mobile CommerceMany people are still uncomfortable about mobile commerce, but those that are not are spending more money when shopping online from a mobile device. Companies like Amazon are taking steps to provide these people with an enjoyable online shopping experience and as consumers become more involved in digital commerce, they are beginning to shop online more than they visit physical stores.

It may be too late for retailers to adopt mobile initiatives to connect with consumers before the holidays

Mobile commerce has proven to be quite powerful during the holiday season. Shopping from a mobile device helps people avoid long lines and they can benefit from having products delivered to their homes relatively quickly. Retailers that have avoided the mobile space, or have a relatively small presence therein, could find it difficult to connect with consumers in a significant way, and it may be too late for them to introduce effective mobile initiatives before the holidays are here.