Tag: mobile commerce news

Mobile commerce is becoming more important for retailers

| January 22, 2015

Mobile and social channels may help the e-commerce sector grow more this year

Mobile and social channels may be the key drivers of e-commerce growth this year, according to Monetate. The firm notes that mobile commerce, in particular, experienced a period of healthy growth and activity during the 2014 holiday season. During this time, mobile purchases increased by 45% over what they had been during the time period of 2013. Approximately 16% of all e-commerce traffic came from mobile devices as well, making mobile a valuable channel for the larger digital commerce space.

Improved mobile experience may be needed in order to ensure that consumers continue to shop on their smartphones and tablets

Monetate notes that mobile experiences are improving, which is making it more likely for consumers to participate in mobile payments in some way. A good experience encourages consumers to continue using their mobile devices to shop for and purchase products online and at physical stores. Poor experiences have the opposite effect, especially if they become inconvenient and considered a burden to consumers that have come to favor mobility.

Engaging consumers in innovative ways can bring them deeper into the world of mobile commerce

mobile commerce and retailEngaging mobile consumers can be extremely difficult. Monetate notes that businesses that want to engage in mobile consumers must do so in a specialized manner. According to the firm, bounce rates on mobile devices are 50% higher than on desktop computers, and consumers are 30% less likely to add products to their online shopping carts when shopping. Finding ways to create a frictionless, convenient, and enjoyable mobile experience can ensure that businesses have the ability to engage mobile consumers effectively.

Loyalty programs could be the key to further success in the mobile commerce space

Loyalty programs may be one of the first steps in driving deeper personalization of the mobile shopping experience. These programs offer rewards to shoppers that favor particular retailers. Monetate notes that these programs are the most profitable type of initiative that retailers can utilize. They also exist as a way for consumers to customize their experiences with the retailers that they are supporting.

Google may be showing interest in mobile payments firm Softcard

| January 22, 2015

Rumors suggest that Google may be looking to buy Softcard

Google may be in negotiations to acquire Softcard, the mobile payments firm that had once been known as Isis. Rumors suggest that Google may be looking to purchase Softcard for some $100 million, but neither company has confirmed this speculation or denied that negotiations are taking place. Google has a strong interest in mobile payments, having a payment platform of its own that has found modest success. The company has been working to establish a stronger foothold in the mobile commerce space in order to compete with others therein.

Softcard hit by layoffs during restructuring effort to become more efficient

Earlier in the month, Softcard laid off 60 of its employees during a consolidation phase. The company is taking steps to reduce the costs that it is exposed to in order to strengthen its business position. The layoffs were part of a larger restructuring of the company, which involves simplifying its organizational structure in order to be more efficient. This is not an uncommon practice in the business world, especially when it comes to the turbulent mobile payments industry.

Company helps 200,000 merchants accept NFC-based mobile payments from Android and Windows Phone devices

Mobile Payments - GoogleSoftcard exists as a way for large organizations to embrace mobile consumers with NFC-enabled devices. The firm offers NFC-based payment systems, which allow companies to accept transactions being made with mobile devices that are using NFC technology. Softcard claims that more than 200,000 merchants in the United States are making use of this service, as well as the Softcard application, which is available for both Windows Phone and Andorid.

Other companies show potential interest in the acquisition of Softcard

Google may not be the only company that is interested in Softcard. Rumors suggest that both PayPal and Microsoft have approached the company concerning potential acquisition. None of these companies have confirmed that these rumors are true, however. In Google’s case, the company is adamant in not acknowledging such rumors, apart from noting that it does not confirm rumors about its business operations.