Tag: netherlands

Dutch mobile commerce is on the rise

Mobile commerce in the Netherlands is on the rise. Dutch consumers are following the trend established in other parts of the world where mobile commerce is becoming the favored way to purchase products. The Netherlands has been serving as a testing grounds for several pilot projects concerning mobile payments, and consumers seem to have responded well to these projects. This has caused a steep spike in demand for mobile commerce services as well as aggressive growth in consumer participation.

Report highlights the growth of mobile commerce

According to a new report from Thuiswinkel, a market research firm, the number of consumers in the Netherlands making purchases from a mobile device has reached 1.7 million. This is a 73% increase over the level mobile purchases had been at in 2012. Consumers have place more than 5 million orders from their mobile devices, accounting for 12% of all online sales processed within the country. The report shows that mobile commerce revenues from the second half of 2012 rose to $310 million, with full-year revenues for 2012 reaching $560 million.

Access to comprehensive services helps boost adoption

Part of the reason consumers are becoming more involved in mobile commerce is the availability of mobile-based services. These services are making it easier for consumers to make mobile payments and abandon traditional forms of commerce. Dutch retailers are also making a strong push for the adoption of mobile commerce, further encouraging consumers to use their mobile devices to purchase goods and services. Thus far, there are no signs that mobile commerce adoption is showing any signs of slowing down.

Clothing and books among the most purchased products via mobile

The report from Thuiswinkel shows that the majority of Dutch consumers made mobile purchase for clothing, books, and sporting goods. Tickets for music, film, and sporting events were also popular purchases among consumers. Those participating in mobile commerce said that purchasing products online via a mobile devices was more convenient than other methods.

MasterCard teams with ING Bank to focus on QR codes

MasterCard has begun testing new ways to allow consumers to make online transactions securely. The financial institution envisions a platform that will protect consumers from the risks they face in the online world while also providing them convenient service. The company’s PayPass platform has become somewhat popular in mobile commerce, but MasterCard is looking to expand the capabilities of this platform and has set its sights on QR Codes. MasterCard has teamed with ING Group, a Dutch bank, to launch a trial project for its new initiative in the Netherlands.

QR codes becoming much more than marketing tool

QR codes are widely used in mobile marketing, but have seen some use in the realm of mobile commerce. The codes first rose to popularity in Japan in the 1990’s, where advertisers would use them to provide engaging content to consumers. The codes have filled this role all over the world since then, but have begun expanding beyond their advertising roots. QR codes have begun seeing use as parts of virtual stores, wherein consumers can scan the codes to purchase particular items from a mobile website that is associated with a retail store.

Netherlands trial will put QR codes to use in mobile commerce

MasterCard believes that QR codes would be a secure platform for mobile transactions. The company, along with ING Group, are keen to see how the codes can function in mobile shopping in the Netherlands. The PayPass platform is MasterCard’s flagship mobile commerce platform and will participate in the trial. Consumers with be able to use the PayPass to make purchases of goods through a number of participating retail stores. Consumers will also get a chance to use QR codes, which can be scanned to facilitate a mobile transaction through a secure website.

Viability of barcodes to be put to the test through 2013

The trial will run through the first quarter of 2013. MasterCard and ING Group will collect data concerning the trial to determine the viability of QR codes in mobile commerce. If consumers find the codes to be efficient, they may soon become much more than a simple marketing tool. This will be especially true if MasterCard can see that the codes are able to facilitate a more secure form of mobile commerce.