Category: Mobile Commerce

Google takes a swing at mobile commerce with updated Shopper app

| March 21, 2013

Mobile Commerce Google Shopper appGoogle updates Shopper application to help promote mobile commerce

Google has been working to establish a dominant presence in the world of mobile commerce for some time. The company’s Google Wallet has made mobile payments more available to a wide range of consumers, but many people are still demanding comprehensive mobile commerce services that make mobile payments more convenient. In order to accommodate the needs of consumers, Google has updated its Google Shopper application, introducing new features that may be well received by those that prefer to shop online.

App includes updates search features

Google Shopper 3.2 is the latest version of the application. At its core, the application allows users to find products and compare prices for products offered by several retailers. In previous versions, users could find a wide range of products through the application’s search engine, but sorting through the results of this search would often be problematic. One of the new features of the Google Shopper application allows users to sort the results of their search so as to find the products they are most interested in more easily.

Application designed to improve in-store experience

The application is equipped with a variety of features that are designed to improve the in-store shopping experience. The application can scan barcodes and is equipped with voice recognition software that makes it easier for consumers to find the products they are interested in. Searching for product reviews has also been improved in the latest version of Google Shopper and users can find video reviews via YouTube through the application. Users can access GPS technology in order to find the best deals on products offered at local stores as well.

Google continues to show interest in mobile commerce

Google is investing heavily in mobile commerce and part of this involved encouraging consumers to make use of applications like Google Shopper. Mobile commerce is more than simply purchasing products using a mobile device; it also involves mobile shopping. Google expects that its improved Shopper application may help consumers become more acclimated to mobile commerce and the convenience it offers.

Mobile commerce set for major growth in China

| March 20, 2013

China expected to see strong growth in mobile commerce sector

New research from online services and e-commerce giant Alibaba shows that mobile commerce is set for aggressive growth in China. The country is expected to boast of more than 322 million online shoppers by 2016 and many of these consumers are expected to make purchases from their mobile devices. Alibaba, which is the country’s largest online shopping company, expects that the Chinese mobile commerce sector will reach a new high in the coming years, especially as retailers become more accommodating of these consumers.

Mobile commerce sales to reach $41 billion by 2015

According to Alibaba, mobile commerce is expected to account for more than $27 billion in sales in 2014. By 2015, the mobile commerce sector is expected to be worth more than $41 billion. Alibaba notes that in 2012, mobile commerce accounted for only $7.8 billion in sales throughout the country, but this was due to the relative lack of effective mobile payments services that were available to consumers.

Singles Day proven the power of mobile payments

A 24-hour shopping spree is held in China every year called “Singles Day.” The tradition encourages Chinese citizens to visit shops and purchase products they are interested in and is very similar to Cyber Monday and Black Friday iMobile Commerce China Growthn the U.S. During last year’s Singles Day, more than $3 billion in mobile payments were recorded throughout China. This encouraged several companies to take the concept of mobile commerce more seriously.

Security a top priority for mobile consumers

By the end of this year, Alibaba expects that mobile commerce will account for $15 billion in sales throughout China. Several companies are still getting accustomed to accepting mobile payments, but growth is expected to pick up momentum as these companies become more comfortable with mobile commerce. Consumers have many concerns regarding mobile payments, the chief of which regards security. Alibaba, which provides mobile payments services, notes that security is such a big concern among Chinese consumers that it could potential derail the projected growth of mobile commerce. As such, Alibaba, as well as other companies, are taking steps to improve mobile commerce security.