The British Retail Consortium this week revealed that mobile retail searches are up 216 % on last year. Simon Walker of Stibo Systems argues why retailers can’t ignore mobile commerce any more.
The new figures released by the British Retail Consortium demonstrate that retailers cannot afford to ignore the power of mobile. A 216 % rise in the past year shows how customer habits are changing and should come as a warning call to retailers.
Customers are increasingly turning to mobile and tablet devices as part of a general lifestyle shift towards digital, therefore companies need to ensure not only that their websites are mobile-friendly, but that their content is consistent across all channels, in order to avoid haemorrhaging customers.
While it is great that mobile and tablet searches remain constant, unlike in-store purchases, without detailed product information and real-time updates, retailers risk losing customer trust and loyalty.
A poor website with lack of product information could deter consumers from making a purchase and can potentially have a negative impact on the bottom line of a retailers’ business.
If retailers are able to provide good mobile websites, with detailed, consistent product information and good search capabilities, it is likely that the number of retail searches will continue to rise.
By Simon Walker
Director
Product Management
Stibo Systems
www.StiboSystems.com