Tag: mobile commerce news

Wal-Mart sees a bright future ahead for mobile payments

| March 9, 2015

Retailer has taken note of the growing prominence of mobile commerce among consumers

Wal-Mart believes that its customers will embrace mobile payments more readily in the coming years. The retailer has taken note of the growth of mobile commerce as it sees more of its customers begin shopping from their mobile devices. The company has also seen a surge in the mobile traffic to its website. Wal-Mart sees a clear shift in the commerce space, but the company is not yet certain where mobile fits into this shift.

Retailers are still trying to understand the behavior of mobile consumers and how mobile payments fit into the retail space

Mobile payments are still relatively new, and retailers have not had much time to become comfortable with the concept of mobile commerce. Companies like Apple and Google have provided retailers and consumers with mobile payments services that have become quite popular, but retailers are still trying to understand the behavior of mobile consumers. Wal-Mart has been working with the Merchant Customer Exchange, a consortium comprised of large retailers that uses a mobile payments service called CurrentC.

Retailers could be left behind if their consortium does not support the mobile payments platforms that are most successful

Walmart - mobile payments futureMembers of the consortium have promised not to support other mobile payment platforms while they are a part of the Merchant Customer Exchange. This could be a problematic issue if Apple Pay, and other services, become more popular. This would leave the retailers involved in the consortium in a difficult position and make it more difficult for them to embrace mobile consumers. Wal-Mart may opt to support other mobile commerce platforms if it needs to compete more effectively in the retail market.

Wal-Mart to continue focusing on making the mobile experience more convenient

The retailer intends to make the mobile experience as convenient as possible for consumers. Convenience is one of the most attractive aspects of mobile commerce, as it allows consumers to avoid lengthy checkout lines and sometimes chaotic crowds. Wal-Mart is expected to focus on supporting convenient platforms that will appeal to consumers that have an interest in mobile payments.

South Korean mobile commerce is growing quickly

| March 6, 2015

Mobile commerce is experiencing strong growth throughout South Korea

Mobile commerce in South Korea is expected to experienced rapid growth in the coming years. The Boston Consulting Group was commissioned by Google Korea to examine the country’s mobile commerce sector. The report produced by this examination shows that South Korea is becoming a prominent market for mobile payments, with more consumers opting to shop for and purchase products online and in physical stores with their smartphones and tablets.

Report predicts that the mobile economy will account for 10% of South Korea’s GDP by 2017

The report shows that South Korea’s mobile Internet economy reached $28 billion in terms of revenue in 2013. This accounts for 2% of the country’s gross domestic product. By 2017, mobile commerce is expected to account for 10% of the country’s gross domestic product, reaching the $40 billion revenue point. There are many factors contributing to this growth, but the mobile application and content industry is expected to help power growth in the mobile commerce space.

Mobile marketing is also on the rise, as more consumers rely on their smartphones and tablets

Mobile Commerce - South KoreaAs mobile commerce continues to grow, many companies are expected to place more focus on mobile marketing. More consumers are beginning to rely on their mobile devices for more than just communication. These consumers are constantly browsing social media sites and consuming content through their devices. This makes them attractive targets for advertisers that want to engage a mobile audience. Mobile marketing can help power the growth of mobile commerce by exposing consumers to products that they may be interested in purchasing online.

Consumers would give up basic luxuries in order to keep their mobile devices and access to the Internet

According to the report from the Boston Consulting Group, some 75% of South Koreans would give up newspapers, chocolates, and fast food in order to continue accessing the mobile Internet. Many people would give up what they consider basic luxuries just to keep their mobile devices. This may be good for mobile commerce, which will continue to grow as consumers become more involved in their mobile devices.