Tag: mobile commerce UK

Mobile commerce hits roadblocks in the UK

| April 26, 2013

UK mobile commerce businessBusinesses show lackluster interest in mobile commerce

Businesses in the United Kingdom may be woefully unprepared for the shift toward mobile, especially considering that many businesses do not consider mobile to be a significant area and most have no idea of the coming generation of 4G mobile networks. Barclays, a global financial services firm based in the UK, has released its “Online Business Outlook 2013” report, which highlights the attitude that businesses, both large and small, have concerning the mobile space. The report suggests that mobile commerce, while an interest to some companies, is not strongly supported with many UK businesses.

Report highlights the lack of support businesses have for the mobile space

According to the report, only 6% of business executives see mobile as a significant opportunity for growth this year. By contrast, a staggering 82% consider existing websites and online services to be worthy of the majority of their focus. The report also shows that a quarter of business executives have not heard of a 4G mobile network, despite the fact that such a network is finding expansion in some parts of the country. Many executives are aware of the emerging 4G network and the potential benefits it could bring to online retail, but are unwilling to support it.

Online businesses are already showing concern for the mobile space

While many businesses may not be concerning themselves with mobile, those that have a strong online presence are showing more interest in mobile commerce. The report shows that 64% of online businesses believe that having a strong mobile strategy is important to their success. Many of these businesses have not yet made their websites accommodating to mobile devices, but are working to do so in the near future. Mobile commerce has become a significant field of interest for these businesses as they see more consumers growing attached to the idea of purchasing products with their mobile devices.

Mobile commerce sees strong support among consumers

Mobile commerce has been seeing strong growth in some parts of the United Kingdom, but many businesses have yet to show their full support for this emerging trend. Thus far, consumers remain the strongest advocates for mobile commerce in the country, followed by some financial services and telecommunications companies interested in playing to the interests of these consumers.

Mobile commerce shows impressive growth in the UK

| April 25, 2013

Mobile Commerce UKMobile commerce making significant progress in the UK

Mobile commerce is showing strong growth in the United Kingdom. More consumers throughout the country are gaining access to smartphones and tablets, and these mobile devices are making it more convenient for a wider variety of people to shop online. Mobile commerce has garnered acclaim for the convenience it offers consumers and several retailers are beginning to grow more accommodating to these consumers as they show a penchant for mobile payments. The growth of mobile commerce is strongly tied to the availability of mobile technology.

Smartphone ownership on the rise

According to a recent study from Gartner, a leading market research firm, sales for smartphones and tablets have been growing rapidly over the past two years. In 2012, the number of smartphones in the world reached 1 billion — one for every seven people in the world. The rapid growth of smartphone ownership has exposed more people to the concept of mobile commerce, a concept they have shown a great deal of interest in.

Proliferation of mobile technology draws more interest into mobile commerce

Ofcom, a government-approved regulator of the communications sector in the United Kingdom, has released information showing that half of the population of the country own a smartphone, with 19% of the population owning a tablet device. Approximately 81% of these smartphone owners prefer to use their smartphones over traditional forms of communication. Approximately 31% of all site traffic in the United Kingdom comes from mobile devices as well, creating a strong need for retailers to become more accommodating to the needs of mobile consumers.

Ease-of-use and simplicity appeal to consumers

The reasons consumers have been showing such strong interest in mobile commerce are straightforward. First, mobile commerce is considered simple, with purchases made for products being accomplished in a matter of seconds. Another factor is that mobile commerce platforms are easy to use, proving accommodating to mobile consumers of varying degrees of comfort with mobile technology. Mobile shopping is also considered, among consumers, to be more enjoyable than shopping at traditional stores, adding further appeal to mobile commerce.