Rating: Better apps and mobile only discounts can even help
According to research carried out this month [October 2012] by YouGov for Udozi – the iPhone shopping app supplier, one in six (16 per cent) of UK shoppers have already searched for an item on a mobile device and then bought it in-store. The findings help bolster the fact that smartphones aren’t killing the High Street, they are helping to bolster it. For example, 11 per cent of those polled have used their mobile device to find discounts and offers before going into stores to collect them. Plus 41 per cent of shoppers would rather shop in a department store, or on their local high street, rather than online. Exclusive mobile deals are also significant when it comes to the mobile shopping experience according to 22 per cent of consumers and 30 per cent of smartphone users.Udozi says that canny Brits are wising up to the ‘false economy’ of online shopping plus the online experience cannot adequately replace the value of the High Street.
Mobile devices are helping to drive consumers back to the high-street – in fact mores so with tablet users than smartphone users.
26 per cent of smartphone users have browsed on a mobile device before going to a High Street or department store to make a purchase compared to 35 per cent of tablet users.
The poll also found that 29 per cent of UK smartphone users would use mobile devices for shopping more often if they could reserve items on their phone to collect in their local store.
Significantly rather than downloading individual retail apps, most would prefer to use a single mobile app for shopping.
Which is where a location aware app like Udozi hopes to score. It’s still available for free on the Apple iTunes app store here.
“Even though a large chunk of online Brits now own Internet enabled devices that they can make purchases from, mobile and online alone simply can’t compensate for the in-store shopping experience,” explained Udozi founder, Alan Gabbay.
“The majority of people still want to ‘try before they buy’ and speak to experts in-store.”
As online, mobile and tablet shopper numbers continue to rise, it is important for retailers to integrate technology into their high street presence. Retailers will never be able to stop shoppers from using their smartphones whilst out shopping, and whilst there will always be the threat of a customer choosing a cheaper, online competitor, by integrating mobile technology into the high street, retailers will be able to offer a more rounded customer experience, increase overall satisfaction and hopefully keep shoppers in stores for longer.
Read my blog http://blog.centrebuzz.co.uk/?p=397