Online sales expected to jump as Christmas draws near, according to eCommerce Websites
Online sales are expected to see a significant jump in the days leading up to Christmas, according to research from eCommerce Websites, an e-commerce website development firm. The firm notes that it has been seeing a spike in the number of consumers that are using online mediums to purchase products. eCommerce Website draws on information from a recent PayPal study that shows that online sales throughout the world accounted for more than $1.2 trillion during 2012.
Consumers show interest in online shopping
eCommerce Websites suggests that businesses, both large and small, prepare to see higher online traffic as the holidays draw closer. While many consumers have finished their holiday shopping, taking advantage of the major deals that were offered by retailers during the Thanksgiving shopping weekend, many more tend to wait until the very last minute in order to purchase gifts for their loved ones. Online mediums are perfectly suited to meet the needs of these consumers by providing them a way to get through the last of their holiday shopping without having to compete with crowds.
E-commerce platforms must be bolstered to meet consumer demands
In order to better accommodate consumers, eCommerce Websites suggests that businesses bolster their e-commerce sites. During the Thanksgiving shopping weekend, many e-commerce sites from some of the world’s largest retailers experienced problems because of the massive level of traffic they experienced. This traffic caused slow-downs on several e-commerce platforms, leading to complaints from consumers who were keen on buying products that they were interested in. eCommerce Websites notes that having a capable e-commerce platform is necessary for businesses to take advantage of the growing number of mobile consumers.
Mobile commerce may see further growth during Christmas
The holiday season is still in full swing and that could be good news for mobile commerce. Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and Cyber Monday have all proven to be popular holidays for mobile commerce. Christmas is expected to see similar results, with a huge number of consumers expected to use their mobile devices to purchase gifts for themselves and for loved ones.
BWild |
December 10, 2012
Mobile commerce becoming more important for the retail industry
The mobile space is becoming increasingly important for the retail industry. A growing number of consumers are beginning to rely more heavily on their mobile devices in order to shop and make purchases. It can be very difficult for retailers to reach out to these consumers through traditional websites and platforms, however, hence the need for sites that are optimized for viewing on mobile devices. A new report from digital marketing firm Acquity Group shows that retailers are beginning to take mobile consumers and mobile commerce more seriously.
Report shows that mobile sites are common with retailers
According to the report, approximately 82% of the top retailers in the world have websites that are optimized for mobile viewing. These sites are ideal for mobile consumers who use a smart phone or tablet in their daily lives. The report also shows that 72% of these retailers also have mobile applications associated with their business. Many of these applications are simply used to make shopping more convenient for consumers and provide them with a way to find more information on particular products they may be interested in. Some of these applications geared toward mobile commerce, facilitating payments for goods via a mobile device.
E-commerce platforms may not be mobile-friendly
Most brands received praise in the report for their various e-commerce initiatives. E-commerce sites appear to be a major success across the board for most of the world’s largest retailers. These sites allow retailers to sell products online, as well as accept payments from consumers all over the world. While the report shows that many of the e-commerce platforms that retailers use are reaching consumers in an effective way, these platforms are much less accommodating to mobile consumers. Many e-commerce platforms are not optimized for mobile service, thus it can be difficult for mobile consumers to make in-store purchases or simply buy products using their mobile device.
Mobile commerce becoming more synonymous with e-commerce
Mobile commerce and e-commerce are quickly becoming a singular channel. In the past, the two had been markedly separate, especially due to the fact that mobile commerce is a relatively new concept. As more consumers become integrated with their mobile devices, retailers are beginning to face a need to become more accommodating of the needs and interests of these consumers.
