Tag: mobile consumers

Retail industry sets sights on mobile commerce

| November 15, 2012

 

Mobile commerce will be key for holiday season

The holiday season is rapimobile commerce retaildly approaching and that has major implications for the retail industry. Retailers are preparing for the busiest and most important time of year, in terms of business, and have targeted mobile consumers as a key demographic. More consumers around the world are becoming reliant on their mobile devices for shopping and daily activities. As such, these consumers present a promising opportunity for retailers looking to establish a constant level of engagement. Thus, the retail industry is growing more interested in mobile commerce and how it can be used to enthrall consumers during the holiday season.

New survey shows mobile penetration is high in the US

According to a new survey from Pew Internet, a leading non-profit research firm, shows that mobile device penetration has grown at a rapid pace. The survey suggests that 88% of all American adults now have a cell phone of some kind, with 63% of these people using their device to wirelessly connect to the Internet. With so many people relying on their mobile devices to connect to the Internet, retailers have seen an opportunity to establish a constant connection with these people. Many retailers believe that mobile commerce initiatives will entice these consumers to make purchases through their mobile devices.

Mobile commerce still unfamiliar for many people

Though many consumers have shown interest in mobile commerce, initiatives designed to get them to spend money through their mobile devices have had trouble getting any attention in the past. Mobile commerce is still a new and unfamiliar concept to many. It also comes with its own security issues, which could put the financial information of consumers at risk of exploitation. Moreover, some mobile commerce services rely on NFC technology, which is limited in terms of availability.

Successful mobile commerce initiatives could net major gains

Despite some of the problems mobile commerce faces, the retail industry is still keen to leverage this concept in an effort to engage mobile consumers. Those that can successfully attract the attention of these consumers may find that many of these people are willing to pay a lot of money to get what they want.

QR codes to replace train tickets in the Ukraine

| November 8, 2012

 

qr codes ukraine train ticketsQR codes will be used as electronic train tickets beginning December 25

Ukrainian consumers will soon be able to use electronic tickets to board public transportation trains around the country. Beginning December 25, consumers will no longer have to carry physical tickets, if they have a smart phone. Vice Prime Minister, Minister of Infrastructure Borys Kolesnikov has announced that QR codes will be a replacement for traditional tickets that have long been used as part of the public transportation system. These codes will be accepted by the Intercity+Ukrainian Express.

Codes continue to gain popularity in marketing and commerce

QR codes have become a popular tool in numerous industries. They are considered valuable because they can provide consumers with access to information and digital content. QR codes have been particularly popular in mobile marketing because of this. The codes have been used sparingly in mobile commerce, where they can be used to link consumers to web-based payment platforms so they can purchase goods.

Consumers can present electronic tickets to train conductors, or simply print out codes

Beginning December 25, consumers with smart phones in the Ukraine will be able to purchase train tickets through the Internet. These tickets will not have to be printed. Instead, consumers will be able to save a QR code that is generated just for them. This code will represent the information connected to the ticket. Train conductors can verify that these tickets are valid through the use of a mobile access control terminal, which will be able to decipher the information contained within the codes. Those without smart phones can simply print out the QR codes as necessary.

QR codes expected to make transportation system more convenient

Vice Prime Minister Kolesnikov believes that the codes will help make the public transportation system more convenient for tech-savvy Ukrainians. QR codes represent an affordable way to issue tickets to those that rely on the public transportation system. More consumers are also growing dependent on their mobile devices, thus raising the demand for QR codes and other mobile services that will help improve quality of life.