Author: Denny

Report highlights the prospects of mobile commerce for 2013

| March 7, 2013

Mobile Commerce ReportNew report examines the mobile commerce landscape of 2013

Mobile Commerce Daily has released a new report highlighting the trends that are emerging in the retail industry. The report, titled the Mobile Commerce Outlook 2013, provides some insight on how retailers are approaching the issue of mobile commerce and the various challenges they face in doing so. More retailers are beginning to feel the need to cater to mobile consumers, especially as these people become more prone to spending money through their mobile devices rather than participating in traditional forms of commerce. As mobile payments become more common, companies that opt out of mobile commerce may be missing a major opportunity.

Consumers showing more comfort with mobile shopping

According to the report, consumers are more likely to purchase more products if they are shopping from a mobile device. Retailers with efficient and easy-to-use mobile commerce systems see higher sales volumes than those offering cumbersome services. Consumers have shown a great deal of comfort in purchasing products using their smartphones and tablets, even when faced with lingering security concerns the inefficiency of some mobile commerce platforms.

Amazon and eBay establish strong lead in mobile commerce

Companies that already have a strong online presence have been able to establish a formidable lead in the mobile commerce arena. eBay, for instance, expects to see more than $20 billion in global mobile sales in the coming years. Amazon continues to enjoy a dominant role in the retail industry, which has been punctuated by the company’s growing support for mobile commerce. The company has begun catering more heavily to mobile consumers, forcing its competitor to follow suit or risk losing out on a sizable portion of loyal customers.

Security concerns likely to persist into the future

Mobile commerce is still faced with significant challenges which are not likely to be entirely overcome this year. Security remains one of the most significant of these challenges. While many consumers pay little attention to the issue of mobile security, when financial information becomes involved they begin to show more concern. There is no simple solution to the security issue, which means that it will likely continue to plague mobile commerce well into the future.

Mobile payments gain ground in the US

| March 5, 2013

U.S. Mobile PaymentsLevelUp reports growing interest from consumers concerning mobile payments

Mobile payments are gaining momentum in the U.S. More consumers are becoming attracted to the concept of mobile commerce, especially as new services become available to them. LevelUp, a mobile payments start-up, has been attracting a great deal of attention recently, reporting a major influx of new users coming from both the Android and iOS camps. Rising demand for mobile commerce services has sent many consumers scouring the online world looking for platforms like LevelUp.

LevelUp doubles user base

LevelUp has announced that its user count has doubled over the past four months, growing from 500,000 to 1 million users. The start-up provides mobile payments services based on the use of QR codes. The LevelUP application is capable of scanning these codes to instigate transactions from a mobile device. The start-up also offers a mobile commerce terminal system to merchants that allows them to process payments being made from a mobile device. On its surface, LevelUp appears to be no different from any other mobile payments platform, but it has taken measures to enthrall consumers with its various features.

Gamifying mobile payments pays off

LevelUp is unlike other mobile payments platforms in that it “gamifies” mobile commerce, effectively turning loyalty programs into interactive experiences. Users are able to unlock loyalty credit with their favored brands through the LevelUp platform. This approach rewards consumers that spend money through their mobile device, further encouraging them to do so in the future. The loyalty credits offered through LevelUp can be redeemed for discounts and other rewards from a consumer’s favored brand.

Interest in mobile commerce expected to continue growing

Mobile payments are becoming more prolific as more consumers get their hands on high-end smartphones and tablets. LevelUp is one example of the promising growth being seen in the mobile commerce sector. The start-up expects to see this growth continue well into the future, as consumers become more comfortable with the concept of paying for goods and services with their mobile devices rather than with physical currency.