Tag: apple

Starbucks accounts for 90% of all mobile payments in the US

| November 6, 2014

Even large companies are struggling to compete with Starbucks

In the past, mobile commerce has been considered something of a novelty, with several small companies offering services that would allow people to shop for and purchase products from with their mobile devices in stores and online. Now, large companies like Apple and Google are involved in the mobile commerce space, but they may not be finding the success that they had hoped to see in the field. Starbucks has come to dominate the mobile space and other companies may be struggling to keep up.

Majority of mobile transactions made in 2013 were done in Starbucks stores

Starbucks accounted for 90% of all mobile transactions made in the United States last year, according to the company’s CEO, Howard Schultz. According to Schultz, more than $1.3 billion in mobile payments were made during 2013, with the vast majority of these transactions taking place in Starbucks stores throughout the country. The company’s success in the mobile field last year is just the beginning, as Starbucks has plans to continue dominating mobile transactions.

Company plans to accelerate its mobile commerce plans

Mobile Payments - StarbucksThe company intends to accelerate its mobile commerce plans over the next few years, putting more emphasis on its mobile audience, but not sacrificing its traditional brick-and-mortar interests. Schultz notes that many consumers are beginning to migrate away from traditional forms of commerce, showing more favor for mobile services. In order to accommodate the changing behavior of consumers, Starbucks will be following suit.

New partnerships will help Starbucks remain dominant in the mobile field

Over the next few years, Starbucks plans to make careful, strategic partnerships that will further its mobile interests. Earlier this year, the company announced plans to begin offering its mobile payments technology to other companies, allowing them to engage mobile consumers more effectively. The company will also be highlighting the convenience of mobile payments in order to further its popularity among consumers with various types of mobile devices. Starbucks also has plans to enhance its My Starbucks Rewards program, providing more incentives for people to purchase products with their mobile devices.

Mobile payments competition heats up in the retail space

| November 5, 2014

Apple Pay is experiencing resistance from retailers

The holidays are coming, and that may be a time when mobile commerce shines. Those looking to use Apple’s new payment service, Apple Pay, may find it impossible to do so, however, due to resistance from retailers. While several major retail organizations have partnered with Apple to support the launch of its new service, relatively few of these companies have taken steps to adopt mobile point-of-sale systems. These systems are meant to accept payments made from a mobile device, but they are somewhat unpopular because of their high cost.

Lack of incentives from Apple leads retailers to look for other solutions

Apple has not offered retailers an incentive to acquire mobile point-of-sale systems. Apple has also only offered modest support when it comes to providing training material for companies looking to support its new payment system. Moreover, there is an ongoing skirmish within the retail space concerning mobile payments, with many companies favoring different payment solutions. Apple Pay may experience more competition in the retail space in the near future as well.

Merchant Customer Exchange is developing its own payment system that could rival Apple Pay

Mobile payments competition heats upThe Merchant Customer Exchange, a prominent retailer consortium, has plans to offer its own mobile payment service next year. This service is to be linked to a consumer’s bank account, serving as an alternative to credit cards. The service is also being designed to track consumer purchasing habits, allowing it to provide them with discounts on products that they frequently buy. While this service will not be available until 2015, it could disrupt Apple’s plans to be the proverbial king of the hill in the mobile payments space.

Mobile is gathering more momentum throughout the retail industry, driven by consumer demand

Mobile payments have become quite important in the retail space. More people are shopping from their mobile devices than ever before, and the demand for in-store mobile payment support is growing. Retailers are scrambling to accommodate this demand, but many are having trouble doing so because of the wide variety of services and technologies currently available to them.