Tag: retail industry

Clutch launches new mobile platform

| December 11, 2012

 

Clutch introduces new mobile commerce platform for iOS

Clutch, a mobile commerce compaiOS Mobile Platformny, has revealed a powerful new digital platform that aims to unite shopping, loyalty programs, and gifting. The mobile platform, which shares the same name as the mobile commerce company, is available for the iOS platform for free through the Apple App Store and the Clutch website. Clutch suggests that its application eliminates the need for multiple other applications coming from a wide range of developers, thus providing consumers with a higher degree of service and support.

Application aims to take advantage of gift card market

The first 1,000 consumers to download and register the Clutch application will receive a special digital gift card from several retailers worth $25. Gift cards are widely popular with consumers, especially during the holidays, but few take note of the value of the gift card market, which is worth a staggering $100 billion worldwide. This value accounts largely for physical gift cards. With consumers becoming more reliant on their mobile devices, the gift card market is also becoming more mobile, which is positioning it for expansive growth. Clutch sees this as a promising opportunity.

Platform could be very beneficial for consumers and retailers

The Clutch platform aims to make mobile shopping more streamlined for consumers while also taking advantage of the significant promise that can be found in the gift card business as well as loyalty programs. The application is capable of providing consumers with deals that are suited for their particular interests. Because Clutch accounts for a massive number of the world’s major retail brands, the mobile platform is capable of offering deals to consumers that align with their interests in an very accurate fashion. This also provides retailers with a very direct channel to consumers, opening the way for targeting marketing and engagement.

Clutch will have to compete with other platform for the favor of consumers

Clutch suggests that mobile shopping has become fragmented recently. The mobile platform may be able to help bring more simplicity to the business, but it will have to compete with the other mobile commerce platforms that are currently available. Consumers have shown that they are willing to try new platforms, but whether Clutch will be able to keep the consumers it is likely to attract has yet to be seen.

Mobile commerce report highlights trends among retailers

| December 10, 2012

 

mobile commerce retail reportMobile commerce becoming more important for the retail industry

The mobile space is becoming increasingly important for the retail industry. A growing number of consumers are beginning to rely more heavily on their mobile devices in order to shop and make purchases. It can be very difficult for retailers to reach out to these consumers through traditional websites and platforms, however, hence the need for sites that are optimized for viewing on mobile devices. A new report from digital marketing firm Acquity Group shows that retailers are beginning to take mobile consumers and mobile commerce more seriously.

Report shows that mobile sites are common with retailers

According to the report, approximately 82% of the top retailers in the world have websites that are optimized for mobile viewing. These sites are ideal for mobile consumers who use a smart phone or tablet in their daily lives. The report also shows that 72% of these retailers also have mobile applications associated with their business. Many of these applications are simply used to make shopping more convenient for consumers and provide them with a way to find more information on particular products they may be interested in. Some of these applications geared toward mobile commerce, facilitating payments for goods via a mobile device.

E-commerce platforms may not be mobile-friendly

Most brands received praise in the report for their various e-commerce initiatives. E-commerce sites appear to be a major success across the board for most of the world’s largest retailers. These sites allow retailers to sell products online, as well as accept payments from consumers all over the world. While the report shows that many of the e-commerce platforms that retailers use are reaching consumers in an effective way, these platforms are much less accommodating to mobile consumers. Many e-commerce platforms are not optimized for mobile service, thus it can be difficult for mobile consumers to make in-store purchases or simply buy products using their mobile device.

Mobile commerce becoming more synonymous with e-commerce

Mobile commerce and e-commerce are quickly becoming a singular channel. In the past, the two had been markedly separate, especially due to the fact that mobile commerce is a relatively new concept. As more consumers become integrated with their mobile devices, retailers are beginning to face a need to become more accommodating of the needs and interests of these consumers.