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
According 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.
Asian markets show promise for mobile commerce
International market research firm yStats has released a new report concerning electronic and mobile commerce in Asia. Asian markets have become very attractive in terms of mobile commerce due to the rising adoption of smartphones and tablets. Consumers are becoming quite reliant on these devices and are showing enthusiasm when it comes to shopping online and making purchases directly from their devices. The report, titled “Asia B2C E-Commerce Report 2013,” aims to shed light on the evolution of commerce throughout Asia.
Internet access helps boost online sales
The report notes that Internet use in countries like Japan, China, and South Korea continues to rise at a rapid rate. As more consumers gain access to the Internet, they begin to shop online more frequently. The expansion of mobile networks is also giving consumers access to the Internet from their smartphones and tablets, exposing them to a wide range of mobile commerce services. Consumers in these countries have been showing favor for mobile shopping over more traditional forms of shopping. The report notes, however, that countries like Laos, Indonesia, Nepal, and India are falling behind when it comes to Internet access. While these countries can be considered valuable markets, the potential of mobile commerce in these countries is somewhat limited.
Japan and China considered prominent markets for mobile commerce
Japan is currently considered one of the most promising markets when it comes to mobile commerce. Tech-savvy consumers often use their mobile devices for just about everything in Japan and it is becoming increasingly common for retailers to focus exclusively on those with mobile devices. China is also showing strong growth on the mobile commerce front as more people gain access to smartphones and tablets. In terms of e-commerce, China is expected to see a 30% increase in online sales by 2016.
Online sales in India account for less than 1% of retail sales
A rise in Internet use is often tied to an increase in online sales. In countries where Internet access can still be considered a luxury, online sales are quite low. In India, for example, online sales account for less than 1% of all retail sales. The country is still considered a promising market for mobile commerce, however, due to the fact that mobile technology is becoming much more common among consumers throughout the country.
