Tag: retail industry

New API could help retailers break into mobile commerce

| January 14, 2014

Mobally launches new API

Mobally, a firm specializing in mobile commerce, has published a new API designed to help retailers take advantage of the growing phenomenon of mobile shopping. Many retailers have seen a dramatic rise in mobile traffic and activity in recent years, but many have yet to embrace mobile commerce in any significant fashion. This may be due to a lack of the mobile space itself and how mobile application work. Mobally believes that its API can help resolve this issue.

API allows for the development of platform agnostic apps

The API enables retailers to design, develop, and deploy completely native retail applications. These applications are platform agnostic, meaning they can be used on both Android and iOS devices as well as others. The applications are meant to help retailers establish a stronger presence in the mobile space, making them more attractive to consumers that have taken to shopping from their mobile devices more regularly.

Retailers become more focused on mobile commerce

mobile commerce and retailOver the past two years, the retail industry has become quite interested in mobile commerce. During the holiday seasons of 2011, 2012, and 2013, mobile sales began to skyrocket, showing retailers that mobile commerce is a promising pursuit. While many large retail organizations have managed to develop their own applications with relative ease, specialty retailers and smaller organizations have had more trouble in this endeavor. Many retailers lack an understanding of mobile technology because of their strict focus on their physical stores and traditional forms of engagement. As such, when these retailers develop their own applications, they can provide a somewhat unpleasant experience for shoppers.

Quickly developed apps may not win consumer favor

An API like that being offered by Mobally could help retailers overcome certain technical hurdles and engage consumers in a more dynamic way. The API allows retailers to quickly build new applications, allowing them to move from concept to deployment in a relatively short amount of time. While this may be good news for retailers, hastily developed applications could provide consumers with a lackluster experience.

Tablets are winning the mobile commerce race

| December 17, 2013

Report highlights changes in consumer behavior

A new report from BI Intelligence highlights the changes in consumer behavior between those that use tablets and those that use smartphones. Behavior between these two demographics has been fragmenting for some time, with tablets users treating their devices more like traditional computers and smartphone users treating their devices like social media tools and portable gaming platforms. The differentiation between smartphone and tablet users has been modest, except in the retail sector where mobile consumers have become enamored with mobile commerce.

Tablets are favored shopping platforms

According to the report from BI Intelligence, consumers are beginning to favor tablets when it comes to mobile shopping. Many favor these devices because they provide a more enjoyable shopping experience. The larger screens of tablets allow consumers to better navigate retail sites and find the products they are interested in. The report also shows that tablets are becoming quite popular research tools for consumers that like to compare products.

Consumers spend more through tablets

Mobile Commerce and Tablet CommerceTablet users prefer to spend money at night, according to the report. Tablets allow for a shopping experience that is similar to what can be found on a traditional computer. This makes it easier for consumers to do their shopping from home, thus making them more comfortable with parting with their money. Smartphones are still quite popular when it comes to mobile commerce, but these devices are primarily used in physical stores rather than for home shopping.

Retailers work to engage tablet consumers more directly

Retailers are beginning to take note of the growing favor that consumers are showing for tablet devices. As such, the report notes that many retailers have begun tweaking their websites to be more accommodating the tablet users. Making a shopping experience more enjoyable specifically for tablet users may alienate smartphone users who still represent a significant portion of the mobile commerce market.