Author: Stephen

OpenTable launches mobile payments pilot project

| February 11, 2014

Pilot project seeks to make dining out more convenient for consumers

Mobile Payment Pilot Project - OpenTableOpenTable, an online restaurant reservation service, has launched a new pilot program focused on mobile payments. The pilot program is meant to test the viability of using mobile payments as a way to allow consumers to pay for their meals quickly while dining out. This would allow them to, essentially, “skip” the check, so to speak. OpenTable believes that leveraging mobile commerce could help make restaurants more convenient and attractive to consumers that have become very reliant on their smartphones and tablets.

Restaurants show strong interest in mobile payments

The pilot program is currently restricted to San Francisco, California, but OpenTable plans to expand the program in the coming weeks. In 2013, OpenTable successfully acquired Just Chalo, which had been working on a mobile commerce platform of its own before the acquisition. This move generated some hype concerning OpenTable’s potential interest in the mobile commerce space and how it might involve itself therein. The company intends to make mobile payments more accessible to consumers that enjoy dining out at their favorite restaurants.

Restaurants are beginning to grow more accommodating of mobile consumers

Mobile technology has been finding a great deal of acceptance in the restaurant business recently. Many restaurants are now making it a point to engage mobile consumers directly by using interactive technologies. QR codes are becoming a common feature on menus and some restaurants are leveraging the power of augmented reality in order to engage consumers more dynamically. As restaurants become more mobile-centric, mobile commerce is beginning to attract a great deal of attention.

OpenTable may be able to beat out the competition with its network of connections

OpenTable is not the only company that is working to introduce mobile commerce to the restaurant business. Cover and Dash are two startups that already have a significant head start in this endeavor as far as providing access to mobile commerce platforms is concerned. OpenTable does, however, have strong relationships with prominent restaurants that could provide it with an edge over whatever competition it may face in the field.

Mobile payments make up 20% of global transactions in 2013

| February 6, 2014

Report highlights the growing power of mobile commerce

Ayden, a provider of omni-channel mobile payment solutions, has released its third Mobile Payment Index report. The report covers the period of September to December 2013 and examines the trends and progress that mobile commerce found during that time. The report reiterates what similar studies have already found: Mobile commerce is growing and showing no signs of slowing down in the foreseeable future. Much of this growth is being partially powered by higher rates of device ownership among consumers.Mobile Payments Report

20% of transactions from September to December 2013 came from mobile devices

According to the report from Ayden, approximately 20% of global transaction came from a mobile device in December 2013. This is up from 12.6% of global transactions coming from mobile devices in 2012. Travel, digital goods, gaming, retail, and ticketing are all areas where mobile payments are thriving. The report suggests that consumers are becoming more comfortable with the idea of mobile payments and are therefore beginning to trust mobile commerce platforms more readily.

iOS devices prove popular in the mobile commerce space

The report shows that iOS devices were the most popular devices when it came to mobile commerce between September and December of 2013. Approximately 41% of all mobile payments made during this four month period came from iPad devices, with 32% coming from iPhones. While iOS devices are popular with those interested in mobile commerce, Android devices have found more success within the mobile commerce space throughout the rest of 2013. Notably, tablets are considered a favorite among consumers when it comes to shopping and purchasing products online.

Retailers are gaining a better understanding of what mobile commerce is and how to engage mobile consumers

Retailers are expected to see a great deal of growth as they begin to focus on the mobile space more heavily. During the 2013 holiday season, many retailers saw a dramatic rise in mobile sales. As retailers begin to better understand consumer behavior within the mobile space, they are likely to provide consumers with better mobile services that can accommodate mobile payments more adequately.