Tag: japan

SoftBank invests in South Korean mobile commerce firm

| June 8, 2015

SoftBank to invest $1 billion in Coupang

Japanese mobile operator SoftBank has announced that it intends to invest $1 billion into South Korea’s largest mobile commerce firm, Coupang. This would represent the largest Internet investment that has been made in South Korea’s history and will provide Coupang with the financial support it needs to compete with other mobile commerce organizations. SoftBank has not disclosed the size of the interest it will acquire in Coupang and the South Korean company will continue to operate of its own accord.

Company seeks to expand beyond the borders of Japan

In 2013, SoftBank successfully acquired Sprint, which may have been the company’s first step toward expanding beyond Japan. The latest investment may be another step toward this endeavor, with SoftBank beginning to show significant interests in mobile markets in other parts of the world. SoftBank has also increased its stake in Supercell, a Finnish company that develops mobile games. Mobile commerce may be part of why SoftBank is beginning to expand, as this sector represents a significant degree of financial promise.

Mobile commerce could be a promising opportunity for some companies

Softbank - Mobile Commerce DealMobile commerce has grown quickly throughout the world, with this growth being powered by the increasing number of mobile consumers. As more people gain access to smartphones and tablets, they are beginning to shop with these devices, opting to use their devices to purchase products that they are interested in. Companies like SoftBank could have a lot to gain by engaging in the mobile commerce space, but it will have to compete with other companies that want to establish a dominant position in this market.

Coupang will be able to compete more aggressively in the mobile commerce sector thanks to investments

Coupang will continue to play a role in South Korea’s thriving mobile commerce market. The company has already established itself as a leader in this market, but it will have to continue offering favorable services to consumers in order to maintain this position. In the coming years, South Korea, as well as Japan, may become the most prominent mobile commerce markets in the world.

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.