Mobile Commerce Minute

Mobile commerce is not just a "where you live" thing - it is a global revolution and with that comes some amazing differences on how it is used depending on the country you live in. A recent report by Netbiscuits highlights the growing impact of mobile commerce on the way the world uses their devices in the purchasing process. But, like good caring mobile folk, we summarize the highlights for you here.

Has Valpak just made augmented reality a more consumer-friendly technology? AR is a terrible consumer term so Valpak decided to use the technology just not the name. They call their new coupon finding service 3D Savings and it has landed on the doorstep of 40 million americans. Is this the tide changing for augmented reality?

Mobile shopping should not be feared - unless you ignore it. The influence of smartphones on the purchase process is in its infancy but already changing the way consumers find, research and pay for product. These are the 6 pieces of the mobile shopping life cycle - detailed by the guy who invented it.

Mobile wallets are the industry promise that hasn't quite arrived yet but one thing is for sure, early adopters are loyal to their m-wallet. The challenge now is to figure out how to bring users on to the various platforms.

Most of us think of Starbucks as the canary for the mobile industry but Staples is about to enter the fray in a serious way. They are set to launch their brand new mobile site that brings their on-device retail offering ahead of their competition. This company is in transition to a true digital organization and they realize the importance of being mobile first.

For consumers it used to be about buying product but now it is about the dollars they want to spend. Just because a customer walks in your doors with a product in mind doesn't mean they are ultimately going to buy from you. They have a dollar figure they are about to spend and if there is a better deal to be had - whether it is a similar product from a competitor or not - the consumer may pull the plug on you. This is the power of a well-executed mobile strategy.

The promise of augmented reality may finally be coming to fruition for mobile commerce. Companies like Blippar are helping large brands deepen their engagement with customers by providing more product value or utility and will eventually be able to convert them into buyers. Here's how.

Three studies focused on the mobile consumer all point to almost 1 of every 5 mobile users are buying product from their mobile device. Where is this number going and why is it so significant? 

As difficult as it may seem to believe there are a large number of retailers that simply aren't going to start using mobile to help grow their business. I suppose they have their reasons but the ones they should be looking at are the dollars that their former customers will be spending with their competitors. 

It's already the back half of the year so we turn our attention to the Christmas season and mobile's influence on retail sales. Most are looking at mobile as a way to grow revenue and most are putting dollars into getting ready for it. What are they giving up? Watch to find out.