Category: Mobile Payments

Survey highlights the growth of Apple’s mobile payments service

| March 16, 2015

Apple Pay is gaining momentum among iOS users

Baird Equity Research has released the results of a new survey concerning iPhone users and Apple Pay. Apple’s mobile payments service was released in October of last year and has managed to find significant momentum despite the short period of time it has been available for. The service can be used on both the iPhone 6 and iPhone 6 Plus, but it is not available for other iOS devices at this time. Apple Pay is expected to be compatible with a smartwatch that Apple is planning to release at some point in the future.

PayPal leads in mobile payments, but Apple Pay accounts for 6% of all in-store mobile transactions

According to the survey, 40% of online consumers made an in-store purchase with a mobile device. PayPal was the most preferred application among this consumers, with Google Wallet accounting for 11% of these transactions. Apple Pay only accounts for 6% of in-store mobile payments, but a significant portion of iOS users currently use the platform regularly. Approximately 40% of iPhone 6 users  make use of Apple Pay to purchase products in physical stores as well as online.

Apple Pay is beginning to become more popular among retailers

Mobile Payments Survey - highlights growthThough PayPal remains the leading entity in mobile payments, Apple Pay is expected to catch up quickly. The service has the support of several major retailers, many of whom want to engage mobile consumers more effectively. These retailers partnered with Apple for the launch of the mobile payments service and have begun to find significant success in the mobile space as a result. As more retailers show support for Apple Pay, the service may begin to play a larger role in the overall mobile payments space.

Young consumers are more likely to participate in mobile payments

Notably, young consumers, between the ages of 18 and 24, are the most likely to make in-store mobile payments. Such transactions had the highest frequency among this demographic, according to the survey from Baird Equity Research. The survey notes that these consumers tend to make a mobile transaction in a physical store as many as four times per month.

Security of mobile payments may no longer be a concern

| March 12, 2015

Consumer sentiment regarding security of mobile payments has changed

The security of mobile payments may no longer be a serious concern for consumers, according to a recent study from MasterCard. The company released its third annual Mobile Payments Study, which is conducted in partnership with Prime Research, and found a significant shift in consumer sentiment concerning mobile payments. For years, consumers have been somewhat concerned about the security of payment platforms, but now they appear to be more interested in enhanced digital experiences on their mobile devices.

Consumers want to see better digital platforms that are more convenient and enjoyable

The study shows that in the Asia Pacific region, which is one of the fastest growing mobile payments markets, conversations regarding mobile transactions primarily took place in India, Japan, Australia, China, and Indonesia. Consumers took to social media sites to talk about the need for better digital experience, especially in the mobile shopping space. Notably, merchants are also finding more visibility by joining in on these conversations, which are providing them with insight into what consumers want to see from the mobile commerce space.

91% of conversations about security have been positive

Mobile Payments Security less of a concern among consumersAccording to the study, 91% of the conversations regarding the safety and security of mobile payments were favorable. This is a vast improvement over 2012, when 57% of the conversations about mobile commerce security were negative. Confusion regarding the security capabilities of mobile payments services has also diminished. People are now praising secure platforms and are using these platforms more regularly in order to shop online and in physical stores.

Consumers demand better digital experiences in order to enjoy mobile commerce more

Though security may no longer be a serious issue for consumers, they still want to see better digital platforms. Some retailers are lagging behind in terms of providing an enjoyable shopping experience for mobile consumers. As mobile payments begin playing a larger role in the retail space, this could become a problematic issue for merchants. Improving the digital experience could provide retailers with promising business opportunities.