Tag: mobile payments

Survey highlights the growth of mobile commerce in the Asia Pacific region

| March 10, 2015

Survey shows that mobile commerce is growing quickly in throughout the Asia Pacific region

MasterCard has released the results of its latest Online Shopping Survey 2014, which highlights the growth of digital commerce across 14 nations in the Asia Pacific region. Mobile commerce, in particular, has been quite popular in this region. More consumers are beginning to favor their mobile devices when shopping and the mobile Internet is expanding in many countries, making it easier for consumers to shop online. The Asia Pacific region is one of the fastest growing mobile commerce markets in the world.

China continues to be a leading mobile commerce market, with India following closely behind

According to the survey from MasterCard, China continues to lead n terms of mobile shoppers, with approximately 70% of the country’s mobile population using their devices to shop online. India may be the fastest growing mobile market, however, as smartphone penetration is accelerating throughout the country. Many Indian consumers are beginning to favor shopping from their mobile devices and they are taking advantage of new mobile commerce services that have been launching in the country.

Availability of mobile apps and services makes it easier for consumers to participate in mobile commerce

Mobile Commerce - Asia Pacific RegionThe survey shows that the growing availability of applications and services is making it easier for consumers to shop online from their mobile devices. These apps are quite popular, reaching the top of the list of items bought in the Asia Pacific region. Smartphones have also reached the top of this list, with more consumers opting to spend money on devices. These devices are being used for much more than basic communication and have become an integral part of people’s lives.

India may soon become the world’s leading mobile commerce market

India is expected to become a leading mobile commerce market in the coming years. The country already boasts of a powerful e-commerce market, which is becoming more mobile-centric as consumers begin to rely more heavily on their smartphones and tablets. A growing number of Indian retailers are investing more in the mobile space in order to connect with a new generation of consumers.

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.