Tag: mobile technology

Majority of mobile commerce happens through smartphones

| May 14, 2013

Mobile Commerce and SmartphonesReport shows that smartphone users make up the bulk of mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is on the rise all over the world, backed by the proliferation of mobile technology. As more consumers purchase mobile devices, the more exposed they become to mobile commerce. Many consumers have begun to favor this form of commerce over any other, claiming that it is simply more efficient and, therefore, more appropriate for modern society. A new report from Arbitron Mobile, a leading market research firm, suggests that consumers favor their smartphones when it comes to mobile payments.

Smartphones are favored in the US and Europe

According to the report, the majority of U.S. smartphone owners make use of mobile commerce applications. These consumers also spend a significant amount of their time shopping with these applications. Outside of the U.S., approximately 66% of smartphone owners in the United Kingdom make use of mobile commerce applications. On average, UK consumers spend 134 minutes of their time on these applications. This trend can also be seen in Germany, France, and other European countries.

eBay and Amazon apps prove most popular with consumers

The report shows that mobile commerce applications from eBay and Amazon are the most popular with consumers.  These applications account for the majority of spending occurring in the mobile commerce field and consumers tend to be engaged with these applications more so than any other. This is partly due to the fact that these applications are tied to the online stores hosted by eBay and Amazon, giving consumers a constant connection to the products they may be interested in.

Smartphones may be dominant platform for mobile commerce

Mobile commerce has been gaining ground with tablet users due to the functionality of these devices. Smartphones, however, are likely to remain the most popular platform through which to participate in mobile commerce. Consumers still express some concerns regarding security, but most have shown that they are willing to conduct mobile payments through secure platforms.

Amazon opens Appstore in China to boost mobile commerce

| May 9, 2013

Mobile Commerce Amazon AppstoreAppstore could add momentum behind growth of mobile commerce

Early last month, Amazon announced plans to expand its Android Appstore to some 200 countries around the world. China, however, was not on the list of countries that Amazon had plans to expand into. These plans seemed to have changed in just under a month, as Amazon has announced that it has opened its Appstore in China, offering a bevy of applications to Kindle users and those with Android devices.  Amazon’s apparent change of heart may be due to the promising mobile commerce opportunities that exist in China.

China proves to be favorable market for Amazon

China is home to a bustling e-commerce sector. According to Internet Retailer, a market research firm, Amazon’s e-commerce sales in China came in at $8.8 billion in 2012, approximately 5% of the company’s total online sales. Many of these sales came from mobile devices. Mobile commerce has been gaining a great deal of support from Chinese consumers, many of whom have shown strong favor for more convenient ways to pay for products that they are interested in.

Appstore expected to boost brand recognition and loyalty

By opening up its Appstore in China, Amazon is likely to find more traction among the mobile crowd. Consumers will have more access to the company’s products, particularly those designed for Kindle devices. The Appstore is also likely to drive brand recognition and consumer engagement, further solidifying Amazon as the dominating force in online retail in China.

Mobile commerce continues to gain traction around the world

China is just one of Amazon’s favored markets. The company has been showing a growing interest in mobile commerce as consumers around the world become more mobile. This can be seen in Europe and the U.S., as well as China. These markets have served to propel Amazon’s interest in the mobile commerce field, encouraging the company to engage a new generation of mobile-centric business that has begun a strong emergence around the world.