Tag: mobile commerce growth

Mobile commerce hits roadblocks in the UK

| April 26, 2013

UK mobile commerce businessBusinesses show lackluster interest in mobile commerce

Businesses in the United Kingdom may be woefully unprepared for the shift toward mobile, especially considering that many businesses do not consider mobile to be a significant area and most have no idea of the coming generation of 4G mobile networks. Barclays, a global financial services firm based in the UK, has released its “Online Business Outlook 2013” report, which highlights the attitude that businesses, both large and small, have concerning the mobile space. The report suggests that mobile commerce, while an interest to some companies, is not strongly supported with many UK businesses.

Report highlights the lack of support businesses have for the mobile space

According to the report, only 6% of business executives see mobile as a significant opportunity for growth this year. By contrast, a staggering 82% consider existing websites and online services to be worthy of the majority of their focus. The report also shows that a quarter of business executives have not heard of a 4G mobile network, despite the fact that such a network is finding expansion in some parts of the country. Many executives are aware of the emerging 4G network and the potential benefits it could bring to online retail, but are unwilling to support it.

Online businesses are already showing concern for the mobile space

While many businesses may not be concerning themselves with mobile, those that have a strong online presence are showing more interest in mobile commerce. The report shows that 64% of online businesses believe that having a strong mobile strategy is important to their success. Many of these businesses have not yet made their websites accommodating to mobile devices, but are working to do so in the near future. Mobile commerce has become a significant field of interest for these businesses as they see more consumers growing attached to the idea of purchasing products with their mobile devices.

Mobile commerce sees strong support among consumers

Mobile commerce has been seeing strong growth in some parts of the United Kingdom, but many businesses have yet to show their full support for this emerging trend. Thus far, consumers remain the strongest advocates for mobile commerce in the country, followed by some financial services and telecommunications companies interested in playing to the interests of these consumers.

Mobile commerce reaching new heights in India

| March 13, 2013

Mobile Commerce India GrowthIndia quickly becoming a hub for mobile commerce

Mobile commerce is on the rise in India. Online retail giant HomeShop18 is predicting a promising future for mobile commerce throughout India as more consumers get their hands on new smartphones and tablets. These consumers are becoming more comfortable with the idea of making purchases online, and mobile devices are becoming the ideal platform to do this. HomeShop18 anticipates that mobile commerce will contribute to more than 25% of all online shopping traffic by 2015.

Mobile device penetration growing rapidly

India is home to a massive population. Currently, approximately 70 million smartphone and tablet owners call India home, and many of these consumers enjoy shopping online. HomeShop18 expects that the number of mobile consumers will continue to grow well into the future. According to a recent report from the Internet and Mobile Association of India, more than 165 million people are expected to access the Internet through a mobile device by 2014.

Investors show strong support for mobile payments

Mobile commerce analysts in India suggest that several e-commerce companies in India have raised over $500 million in 2012 in order to make their mobile commerce services more robust. Moreover, e-commerce investments in 2012 grew to $14 billion, up from the $6.3 billion they were in 2011, showing that investors have a strong interest in the mobile commerce initiatives that many online businesses are adopting.

HomeShop18 may establish dominance in Indian mobile commerce

HomeShop18 currently boasts of two mobile applications that can be used for mobile commerce. The retailer has plans to bolster its mobile commerce services in order to appeal to a wider range of consumers in the future. Tapping into these consumers can often be a difficult task, but many Indian consumers have shown an aggressive enthusiasm for participating in mobile commerce and online shopping from the mobile device. If HomeShop18 can beat out the competition it has in the mobile commerce scene, it may become India’s leading mobile shopping platform in the near future.