Are you ready for mobile shoppers?

Mobile shopping

 For many marketers, mobile is an important medium to use to help them interact with the connected shopper.

According to Vibes’ Mobile Consumer Report, 54 percent of connected shoppers have compared prices in-store. In addition, 51 percent have looked up a product review, showing there is not much of a gap between comparison shopping and gathering more information about a purchase – leaving a huge opportunity for retailers.

Vibes believes that connected shoppers use their mobile devices a great deal while shopping in-store.
Of the additional in-store activities the connected shopper conducts, 45 percent have scanned a QR or bar code for more information, 33 percent have researched a product on the store’s Web site and 28 percent have used a company’s app in the store.

Additionally, 76 percent of connected shoppers use coupons at least half of the time while shopping; more than half have used mobile coupons, proving that relevant and timely offers continue to play an important role in consumer purchasing habits.

Smarter shoppers
According to the PeriscopeIQ Retail Intelligence Survey, consumers are becoming savvy shoppers, with more 41 percent pre-shopping online versus only 27 percent doing so last year.
Thirty-three percent check prices at other stores or at Web sites.

Similarly, 36 percent are using their phones to take pictures of merchandise, presumably for feedback from friends or family, or for comparison shopping.

Additionally, fewer than five percent of respondents claim to use mobile wallets like Google Wallet or Passbook.

“Despite the commotion about shopping on Black Friday, only a little more than a third – 38 percent – will be shopping this season”, said Mohamed Latib, chief operating officer of PeriscopeIQ. “A significant 60 percent won’t bother battling crowds the day after Thanksgiving.”

Get your business mobile ready today!

www.beachbumsmarketing.com

College Kids Use Mobile During Thanksgiving

Mobile is also effecting college kids.

Did you know that two in five students – 38 percent – say they will do holiday shopping on Thanksgiving?

Moreover, 22 percent of students are more likely to decline a Thanksgiving meal invitation if they know they would not be able to use their mobile devices while there.

The Digitas study also revealed that 76 percent of those who shop by mobile device and computer say that it is easier to shop via computer.

Only eight percent of consumers surveyed said their shopping experience was easier via mobile and 16 percent said there is no difference between the two.  The reason?  Mobile businesses do not have their website mobile friendly....is yours? 

The big news for retailers is that the battle for shoppers is definitely getting beyond just getting them in the store or onto the ecommerce site.  It’s also about getting on people’s smartphones and tablets.

Mobile makes life shoppable – so retailers and brands need to focus on being a part of those moments when people are shopping on their mobile devices.  Honestly, the most surprising finding was that there were actually people who would decline an invitation to Thanksgiving if they couldn’t use their smartphones.

I thought that if there is one institution that could withstand our increasing need to always be connected, it would be Thanksgiving. But it just indicates how much mobile is changing behaviors, attitudes and culture.

According to many, mobile is going to play a very substantial role in the holiday shopping this season.

It’s going to play three key roles.  As a way for people to research and compare features and prices, as a way for people to transact and as a way for brands and retailers to proactively reach out with offers and information.

www.beachbumsmarketing.com