Walmart continues to see promise in mobile commerce field
Walmart has been taking note of the attention that the mobile commerce scene has been receiving recently. The retailer has long been accustomed to adapting to changes in the market and meeting the demands of consumers and now it is beginning to shift toward becoming more accommodating to the mobile space. More consumers are using their smartphones and tablets to shop than ever before, leading to a swell in the demand for mobile commerce services. Walmart is now working to meet this demand and has begun overhauling its e-commerce and mobile strategies.
Retailer to launch new website
Walmart believes that e-commerce is among its primary growth engines and claims that e-commerce may power the majority of the company’s growth in the near future. In order to become more attractive to online shoppers, the retailer is taking a new approach on the matter of e-commerce and has adopted a strong focus on mobile. The retailer is planning to launch a new home page for its website that will feature the services and functionality that consumers are coming to expect from companies in the retail industry.
Site optimized for mobile use
The new site will be optimized for mobile use, allowing those with smartphones and tablets to navigate the site easily and without any trouble. The site will also support mobile commerce for those interested in purchasing products online through their mobile devices. Walmart claims that more than half of its customers have smartphones and if the company does not cater to this demographic it may be missing out on a promising opportunity.
Retail industry continues to see growth in mobile commerce
Mobile commerce is quickly becoming a staple in the retail industry. Consumers have responded well to the concept of mobile commerce and are quickly becoming more comfortable with purchasing products online using their mobile devices. Walmart is one among many in the retail industry that has begun showing more favor to the mobile crowd.
Scan and Go to be tested in Sainsbury’s stores in UK
Many consumers have become familiar with QR codes because of how often they are used in marketing. Indeed, QR codes have become one of the favored tools for advertisers looking to engage mobile consumers. The codes can do much more than provide consumers with information on products and services, however, as the UK’s Sainsbury supermarkets are preparing to show. Sainsbury has become the next location for a pilot project for the Scan and Go program, which turns QR codes into virtual checkout stands.
System already quite famous in the US
Scan and Go was tested in the U.S. some time ago at some Walmart retail stores. The program managed to garner a fair deal of acclaim because of its ability to provide a convenient service to shoppers. Now, Sainsbury’s will be testing the program to see if similar results can be produced amongst tech-savvy consumers in the United Kingdom. Those that will be participating in the testing of the program will need the Scan and Go application, which allows them to scan the QR codes that will be riddled throughout local stores.
Consumers will be able to use QR codes to purchase items
When a customer arrives at a participating Sainsbury’s supermarket, they scan a QR code located near one of the store’s entrances. After “logging in,” shoppers can then scan the QR codes that are affixed to the products they are looking to buy. Even loose items, such as fruit, can have a QR code printed for them through an automated service. These codes provide information on the products and gives shoppers and opportunity to make a purchase from their smart phone when they are finished shopped.
Program will provide special deals for frequent users
Scan and Go is equipped with a tracking function that monitors the spending habits of shoppers. This information is used to provide these consumers with special discounts concerning the products that they purchase often. Sainsbury’s believes that the Scan and Go system could valuable to consumers that are short on time but must get their shopping done quickly. The company does not currently have plans to replace manned and self-service checkout stands with this system.
