Tag: m-commerce

4G could be a boon for mobile commerce

| March 26, 2013

Mobile Commerce UK 4G speeds may make mobile commerce a major success in the UK

Mobile commerce is on the rise in the United Kingdom and the success of retailers focusing more on mobile payments may rely heavily on Internet speeds. Mobile Internet is still in a state of infancy throughout much of the world. High-speed 4G connections are still somewhat rare, despite rampant demand for such a service. While telecommunications companies are putting a great deal of effort behind making 4G more widely available, delays in high-speed mobile Internet access could mean missed opportunities for UK retailers.

Retailers beginning to become more accommodating of mobile commerce

Retailers throughout the United Kingdom are becoming more inclined to support mobile commerce in a variety of ways. As consumers become more reliant on their mobile devices, they are beginning to find their smartphones and tablets useful for shopping and similar activities. Mobile shopping is quickly becoming a very popular trend among many consumers, according to a recent study from eBay Europe. The study suggests that access to 4G speeds could lead to a universal surge in mobile commerce as consumers find services easier to use.

eBay predicts surge in mobile shopping

eBay Europe predicts that the expansion of 4G availability could cause mobile shopping to spike by 113%. High-speed connectivity means that mobile commerce services are easier to use. This also means that mobile payments can be processed more quickly, eliminating the waiting period that could potentially lead to some payments being lost in virtual limbo because of a connectivity issue with a mobile network. Along with  a surge in mobile shopping, eBay Europe predicts that high-speed Internet could lead to more sales.

High-speed Internet could lead the way for higher sales

eBay anticipates that 4G connectivity will help mobile commerce reach more than $2 billion in sales in the coming years. Access to high-speed Internet makes it easier for consumers to find products they are interested in. It also makes it easier for consumers to purchase these products and continue shopping, thereby increasing the amount of money people are willing to spend while shopping online with their smartphones and tablets.

Report highlights the growing presence of mobile commerce

| March 23, 2013

mobile commerce reportMobile commerce becoming more prolific among consumers

Strategy Analytics, a leading market research firm, has released a new report that sheds light on how consumers are using their mobile devices for mobile commerce. The report, titled “67 percent of Smartphone Owners Use Devices In-Store – Consumer and Retailer Mobile Needs Explored,” suggests that the majority of consumers use their mobile devices for shopping. Mobile commerce has been growing in popularity among consumers for some time, with many considering it more convenient to shop with their mobile devices.

Majority of consumers use their mobile devices to shop

According to the report, approximately 67% of consumers use their mobile device for shopping. For many, this means augmenting an in-store experience using a smartphone or tablet, using their mobile device to find the best deals on products. Mobile payments are also popular among these consumers, especially as companies begin to offer better services in this regard. While mobile devices are often used in-store, the report shows that 61% of consumers use their smartphones and tablets to shop from home.

Retailers investing heavily in mobile commerce

The retail industry has been investing heavily in mobile commerce recently, hoping to capture the interest of tech-savvy consumers. Several companies, such as Tesco and Wal-Mart, have launched applications that make it possible to purchase products with nothing more than a mobile device. Google, as well as other technology companies, have also produced applications that serve as mobile payment platforms. These applications are becoming more prolific, giving a wider range of consumers an opportunity to participate in mobile commerce.

NFC technology may not be the future of mobile payments

The report shows that a great deal of the attention that is centered on mobile commerce revolves around NFC technology. NFC is one of the cornerstones of mobile payments, as it allows mobile devices to transmit financial information over a short distance. Strategy Analytics predicts that NFC technology will eventually fade away due to the lack of support for the technology and the security concerns that many consumers have due to the capabilities of NFC.