Consumers are using their mobile devices for a variety of daily tasks, and this is carrying over to retail. Smartphones and tablets have quickly become effective tools for browsing for and purchasing products, and merchants need to move now to implement successful strategies for accommodating mobile customers.

In its recent MobileTrends Report, Allot highlights several categories of mobile retail consumers, one of which is the "Info Seeker," or someone who utilizes their device to obtain information about brands and merchandise. There is also the "Social Mingler" who take to social media sites on their gadgets to interact with brands. Also, the "Digital Mover and Shaker" are constantly online and are using social media as well as other platforms for their retail needs. For merchants to have successful mobile commerce strategies, they will need to develop methods to meet the needs of these consumer types.

The Financial writes that mobile applications are effective resources for customers who shop through their devices, and retailers may want to look into creating an app for their operations. In addition, the source cites research from Adobe and Harris Interactive, which found that two-fifths of mobile consumers using a retail app stated it "strengthened their connection to the brand."