Report shows that Europe has become a hotbed for mobile payment and shopping activity
Idealo, a price comparison service based in Germany, has released a new report that highlights mobile commerce in Europe. The report has compiled information from 50 of Idealo’s partners across 6 European countries. The information involves mobile site traffic, the design of mobile shopping sites and applications, and the use of mobile commerce applications. The report shows that the United Kingdom, in particular, is seeing a great deal of activity when it comes to mobile shopping and payments.
United Kingdom leads the way in mobile shopping, with many retailers offering mobile-centric services and support
The report suggests that consumers in the United Kingdom have the greatest advantage when it comes to mobile commerce. Some 86% of shops in the country support mobile payments in some way, either physically or digitally. Many of these stores have websites that are optimized for mobile use and offer mobile applications that offer rewards to those that use them regularly. As such, the United Kingdom is leading the way in mobile commerce activity.
Other European countries fall behind due to the slow adoption of mobile commerce among retailers
France and Spain are also seeing a great deal of activity in their mobile space. Approximately 74% of the retailers in both countries are supporting mobile shopping. In other European countries, such as Germany, Italy, and Poland, mobile shopping is not yet fully supported. Some retailers have been slow to embrace the concept of mobile commerce because of concerns regarding security or the belief that mobile shopping is nothing more than a novelty that will loss popularity in time.
Despite progress, the mobile shopping space is still faced with many challenges that could be difficult to overcome
While mobile commerce is making progress in Europe, there are still many challenges to overcome. One of the most significant challenges has to do with how mobile websites are built. These websites are vital to engaging mobile consumers, but few retailers are designing responsive sites that provide consumers with a favorable experience. A poor experience can drive people away from mobile commerce.
Poland is quickly becoming more focused on the mobile sector
The mobile commerce market of Poland is poised for strong growth throughout 2014, according to mGenerator, a leading mobile commerce platform in Poland. This is a trend that is similar to those that are emerging in other countries around the world. Consumers are becoming more involved in mobile technology and, as such, investing more of their time and money on their smartphones and tablets. This means that mobile commerce is beginning to play a much larger role in the lives of people around the world and their interest in mobile shopping and other such activities is growing quickly.
Mobile commerce market set to reach $273 million by the end of the year
According to mGenerator, the Polish mobile commerce market will reach approximately $273 million by the end of this year. Polish retailers are beginning to take the mobile sector more seriously as consumers begin using their mobile devices to shop and find products they are interested in. The demand for smartphones and tablets that are capable of participating in mobile commerce is also on the rise among consumers, which is adding further momentum to the market’s growing potential.
Retailers are growing more conscious of consumer trends
Consumers are showing particular interest in purchasing products that are available from retailers that are close to their home residence. These people are able to purchase products from their smartphones and tablets and then visit a local store to pick up these products. Retailers are also beginning to take “intelligent pricing” into consideration, which involves the better understanding how much consumers actually value a particular product. In order to acquire this understanding, retailers are beginning to track trends concerning the way mobile consumers spend their money online.
Banks are beginning to take the mobile space seriously
Retailers are not the only organizations in Poland that are beginning to take the mobile commerce market seriously. The country’s banks are also beginning to become more involved in the mobile sector by providing their customers with platforms and services that accommodate their needs. By the end of 2014, Poland is expected to establish itself as a very promising market in the mobile commerce sector.
