Category: Mobile Payments

Focus on security may ensure growth of China’s mobile payments space

| January 20, 2016

Security is becoming a top priority for those involved in mobile payments

China’s mobile payments sector saw dramatic growth in 2015, and this momentum may hold throughout this year. The country’s mobile technology sector has been developing very quickly, with new devices becoming available and access to the mobile Internet expanding. As more consumers gain access to smartphones, they are beginning to rely more heavily on mobile payments services. As these services become more popular, China’s regulators are beginning to focus on security issues in order to ensure the continued growth of mobile commerce.

China’s mobile population is growing quickly

The Chinese Ministry of Industry and Information Technology notes that there are more than 1.3 billion people in China with a mobile device. Many of these consumers are using their mobile devices to shop online and in physical stores. The problem, however, is that the mobile payments sector is becoming increasingly attractive to malicious groups that want to exploit consumer information. Security risks are causing concern among consumers, making them shy away from mobile payments services.

Focus on security may make consumers more comfortable with mobile payments

Mobile payments securityA greater focus on security may ensure the continued growth of the mobile payments industry by making consumers more confident in the services they use. To ensure security, some companies involved in the mobile commerce space are beginning to use new technology to protect consumers. Biometric technology, in particular, is becoming quite popular among these companies. This technology leverages biological information, such as a fingerprint, to protect consumer information that is stored on a mobile device.

Bringing mobile payments platforms into new service industries has become a priority

Beyond security, Chinese companies must find ways to integrate mobile payments into other service industries. This would ensure the expansion of the payments market and give consumers more access to platforms they may be interested in. As more organizations support mobile payments, both digital and physical, more consumers are likely to participate in this new form of commerce. Alibaba is expected to lead the expansion of mobile payments into new service industries with its Alipay platform and its focus on consumer security. Alipay accounts for some 400 million registered users, more than half of whom use the service quite frequently.

Retailers expected to focus more heavily on mobile payments in 2016

| January 19, 2016

Enthusiasm for mobile payments is growing quickly among retailers and consumers alike

In 2015, the mobile payments space began to emerge as a mainstream power. Over the holiday season, various businesses were exposed to the success that could be had from a focus on the mobile sector, and their enthusiasm for mobile payments is likely to carry over into this year. Matt Asay, vice president of mobile for Adobe Marketing Cloud, noted that the holiday season was a fantastic time for mobile shopping despite the fact that many consumers reported stress from using mobile payments services.

Retailers are being pressured to improve the mobile shopping experience

Asay suggests that consumers are fairly ahead of retailers when it comes to mobile shopping. They are well aware of what they want in a mobile shopping experience, and retailers have been struggling to accommodate the demands coming from consumers. Converting mobile shoppers into actual paying customers has proven to be a challenge. Retailers are expected to focus more heavily on improving the mobile shopping experience in 2016.

Report shows that mobile payments will comprise 45% of all e-commerce transactions by 2020

Retail - Mobile PaymentsAccording to a recent report from BI Intelligence, mobile payments will comprise 45% of all e-commerce transactions by 2020. This will account for approximately $284 billion in sales. This is three times more in sales that is expected to be reported in 2016. Retailers may have to shift focus away from mobile applications in order to effectively engage the customers that are becoming invested in mobile payments. Mobile websites have, thus far, provided a better shopping experience for consumers than applications.

More retailers may begin supporting mobile payments in physical stores

Retailers are expected to begin supporting mobile payments in their physical stores as a way to provide consumers with a worthwhile experience. Many consumers already use their smartphones and tablets in physical stores, but only to search for and research products that they are interested in. Retailers may be able to increase conversion rates by supporting mobile payments at physical stores, allowing consumers to make purchases with their devices rather than traditional forms of commerce.