Author: Rebecca

Mobile commerce research examines its impact on shopping

Recent research has investigated the way that the retail landscape is changing because of smartphones and tablets.

The latest results of a market research study from uSamp and iModerate have just been released and have produced some insight regarding the role that mobile commerce is playing within the current shopping ecosystem.

These findings have specifically focused on the motivations and barriers faced by consumers.

The study concentrated on the main drivers and struggles that consumers were facing in terms of mobile commerce in addition to providing some insight as to their shopping behaviors such as what they are buying, where they are making their purchases, and which devices they prefer.

The study was a form of mobile commerce hybrid market research exercise to allow businesses to optimize their strategies.

Mobile Commerce ResearchThe research was a part of the Marketplace Insights series that has been produced by premier technology provider, uSamp, and leading qualitative research firm, iModerate. The respondents to the survey helped to provide greater insight into the impact that mobile commerce is having on the overall shopping environment.

The study indicated that even though mobile commerce is growing in popularity, it is still facing certain considerable barriers. Among them are functionality and security. At the same time, though, the consumers who have embraced shopping over their smartphones and tablets, they did have a limit to the amount that they were willing to spend over those devices. The research suggested that the average number of dollars those individuals are spending is $491.

The survey results indicated that people purchase different items over mobile commerce depending on the device that they are using to shop. Among the primary categories were movies, music and games (64 percent of smartphone users have purchased from this category), and books (60 percent of tablet users have purchased from this category). Another category of note was groceries, where 26 percent of smartphone users had made a purchase.

According to the report on the study, the findings regarding mobile commerce purchasing behaviors align very well with the way that a certain product translates through the use of a specific type of device.

QR codes take central role in a new surf breaks plan

The Australian Gold Coast may use the smartphone friendly barcodes to warn of potential dangers.

Plans are being formed to incorporate the use of QR codes painted onto signs near the Gold Coast surf breaks and boat ramps in Australia, to help to provide visiting boaters and surfers with the information they need about potential hidden risks and dangers in the waters, through the use of one simple scan.

All that water users need to do is scan the barcode with their smartphones for up to date information.

The concept of applying the QR codes for this purpose was brought up at a Currumbin Alley safety meeting recently. This meeting was attended by boaters and surfers, as well as Hal Morris (the CEO of the Gold Coast Waterways Authority), and the MP for Currumbin, Jann Stuckey.

The system using the QR codes would help to inform boaters and surfers who aren’t familiar with the specific locations.

QR codes warn of dangerAccording to Morris, the system of QR codes would direct scanners to websites created specifically for that purpose. It is hoped that this will provide an efficient, simple, direct, and innovative way to provide boaters and surfers with the information that they need to remain safe when they are not familiar with the local spots. It will begin as a smaller project but, when shown to be successful, this project will be broadened to include the entire city.

He explained that “We want to develop a surf and waterways user guide for the Gold Coast that could be accessed through the QR codes.”

The Gold Coast Surf Council is also eager to provide the surf breaks within the city with classification based on their risk and danger levels, said Morris. He also added that this information could also be included in the guide for the waterway. Also in the guide, he said, will be the details on local attractions, tide times, and links to various surf cameras.

Gary Brown, the president of Marine Rescue Queensland Currumbin, stated that introducing the QR codes on the signage is an important step forward for surfers and boaters, alike.