Author: Dan Gendro

Mobile commerce expected to see growth over the holidays

The mobile space is growing as retailers change how they engage consumers

The holiday season may be a major opportunity for companies involved in mobile commerce, especially social media companies that are working with retailers. A recent report from eMarketer predicts that retail sales in the United States will grow year-over-year by 5.6% this year. Mobile commerce is expected to play a significant role in this growth, with mobile sales growing 32% year-over-year by the end of 2015. Many consumers are expected to use their mobile devices to get their holiday shopping done this year.

Better smartphones are improving the mobile shopping experience

According to the report, an estimated 25% of all e-commerce transactions are expected to be made through a smartphone in the United States. Consumers are beginning to rely more heavily on these devices, as they represent a more convenient way to shop. Advances in smartphone technology and design have further increased their attractiveness to mobile shoppers. Larger screens have made it easier for consumers to browse digital stores and purchase products. An enjoyable mobile shopping experience makes it more likely that consumers will continue to participate in mobile commerce.

Social commerce is growing quickly

Mobile Commerce Growth over Holiday SeasonAs mobile shopping continues to experience healthy growth, social networks are beginning to play a larger role in the mobile space. These companies have been involved in the mobile world for several years, but have only just begun to participate in mobile commerce. Companies like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are indulging in a new concept called social commerce, which involves selling products online through social networking sites. Social commerce is becoming a strong tool for retailers, especially those that want to engage mobile consumers. Many consumers favor using their mobile devices to visit social media sites, which has created new opportunities for retailers.

Consumers see mobile commerce as more convenient than visiting physical stores

Mobile commerce is expected to see significant growth over the holiday season. As in previous years, consumers are expected to use their mobile devices to get their shopping done and avoid large crowds at physical retail stores. The convenient nature of mobile commerce has proven to be quite attractive to consumers and more retailers are focusing more heavily on the mobile space.

Holiday season may bring growth to the mobile commerce market

Many consumers may use their mobile devices to shop during the holidays

The holiday season is rapidly approaching and this may represent a major opportunity involved in the mobile commerce space. Touch of Modern, an e-commerce company that specializes in exposing men to products and bands that they may be interested in, reports that the 2014 holiday season was particularly significant in terms of growth. The upcoming holiday season may provide the mobile commerce space with significant momentum that will encourage more retailers to become mobile-centric.

Touch of Modern is seeing major growth through the holiday season

Touch of Modern raised some $14 million in Series B funding last year. During that same year, the company’s revenue grew by 400%, with mobile commerce representing a significant portion of this growth. More consumers are accessing e-commerce sites through their mobile devices. These consumers note that using their mobile devices has made it easier for them to shop for and purchase products. Mobile shopping is particularly popular among consumers with long commutes, as they are able to do their shopping while traveling and have products delivered to their homes.

IBM shows that mobile traffic is growing aggressively, largely due to the holiday shopping season

Mobile Commerce Thanksgiving Shopping A report from IBM has shown that mobile commerce saw explosive growth in 2014, largely thanks to holiday shopping. On Thanksgiving Day, mobile traffic accounted for some 52.1% of all online traffic. This was the first time that mobile devices accounted for more traffic than their PC counterparts. Consumers also spent more money through their mobile devices during the 2014 holiday season than they had done in 2013.

Retailers may have major opportunities in the mobile commerce field

Mobile commerce may see a greater increase this year than it saw in 2014. More retailers have begun to embrace the mobile space, hoping to engage consumers that favor shopping with their smartphones and tablets. Retailers have significant opportunities that they can take advantage of this year, but they will have to provide consumers with an enjoyable and convenient mobile shopping experience in order to do so.