As smartphones and tablets are increasingly used by consumers around the world, retailers are being impacted by the technology as well. The mobile payments trend is proving to be valuable for European merchants, as customers are turning to their devices to shop and complete purchases.

According to recent research by Affiliate Window, consumers in the U.K. are using their smartphones and tablets to make purchases from retail affiliates, reports Internet Retailer. This represents a total of 9.4 percent of web sales. Shoppers are using many devices to browse and purchase items, but the iPad is the technology most used for these tasks, states the research. Apple's iPad was used by 59.2 percent of customers, while its iPhone took 24 percent. Android and Blackberry devices followed behind, at 12.3 percent and 2.4 percent, respectively.

European consumers are expected to increasingly use mobile devices to purchase retail items over the next few years, reports The Information Daily. A study by Forrester found that the total of mobile retail sales is anticipated to reach $19.2 billion in 2017. This includes many categories, including products, services and gift cards, says the news source.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 16th, 2012 at 1:46 am .

Smartphones are not the only devices that are changing the world of commerce. Tablets are also increasingly being used to buy items from online retailers, since these technologies give consumers greater purchasing power in the palm of their hand. Tablets are utilized by all age groups and genders, although recent research has found that consumers of younger generations have become adept at buying from retailer on their tablets.

Younger generation prefers to use tablets for shopping

Although many consumers still prefer to purchase items in the physical location of the retail store, tablets are giving customers a more remote and simple way to complete transactions. According to Internet Retailer, recent research by comScore Inc. revealed that when it comes to genders, it is a 50-50 split for men and women users, as they both equally utilize the devices to make online retail purchases.

Perhaps not as surprising was the fact that younger consumers are more likely to use tablets for online shopping. Of the customers surveyed, comScore found that 63 percent were under the age of 45, and 42 percent were 35 years old and younger. Nearly a quarter of shoppers ages 18 to 24 use tablets, representing the largest group.

Household income was another factor that comScore studied, and the research found that 38 percent of tablet users came from a residence making more than $100,000 per year. When it comes to the types of devices, Apple's iPad lead the way, being especially utilized by males, wealthier individuals and younger consumers. Kindle's Fire device is more popular among females, and both the Fire and Android's tablet were more popular with shoppers with lower incomes than those that use iPads, states the source.

Worldwide retail tablet sales on the rise

Equities reports that research by Monetate has discovered retail sales by tablets are becoming almost as popular as desktop and laptop computer purchases. The study also revealed that more money is spent when shoppers use tablets to buy items. In the second quarter of 2012, the percentage of tablet sales was at 3.17, while desktops and laptops represented 3.34 percent. The average amount of purchases on tablets for Q2 was $96.11, with other online methods averaging $91.86 per transaction.

"Tablets are truly a competitor for the desktop [and laptop], with web tablet users converting [to buy] at nearly the same rate," said Monetate's chief marketing officer Kurt Heinemann.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 16th, 2012 at 1:43 am .

Sales for online retail companies in the U.S. experienced a significant increase in this year's second quarter, highlighting the advantages that the internet and other online resources provide for businesses. However, some retail industry experts believe that the ecommerce purchasing method will soon begin to decrease, as they forecast the rest of 2012 will not fare so well for online retailers.

First half of 2012 positive for online retail

Recent research from comScore found that for the second quarter, ecommerce retail sales saw a 15 percent increase, equaling a total of $43.15 billion, reports Internet Retailer. This is a significant rise from the same time last year, when online retail accounted for $37.5 billion worth of sales. The first quarter of 2012 had 16.6 percent year-over-year growth. While Q2's numbers are not as high, comScore executives say the increases are still significant. The most recent reported spending totals represent the 11th quarter that has consecutively produced positive year-over-year increases. It is also the seventh quarter in a row that has had growth in the double-digits, states the source.

Many sectors within retail saw an increase, with apparel and accessories, consumer electronics and greeting cards and gift, along with several other categories, experiencing 16 percent year-over-year growth, comScore found. One aspect that did see a decrease was the number of ecommerce sales that offered free shipping. In Q2, 42 percent of retail transactions online included free shipping, a drop from 2011's fourth quarter rate of 51.8 percent.

Despite the positive numbers, comScore expects that the rest of 2012 will see a drop in retail ecommerce. The high unemployment rate and slow economic recovery may prevent consumers from purchasing goods and services online.

Internet browsers play role in retail ecommerce

Believe it or not, the different internet browsers have an impact on retail ecommerce sales. CNBC reports that a Monetate study revealed that during the day (between typical work hours) in May 2012, Internet Explorer was used the most for ecommerce. However, at nighttime, it was Apple's Safari browser which led the way, beating both Internet Explorer and Google's Chrome.

The reason for this could be because Internet Explorer is the main browser available in most offices and places of business, so shoppers are forced to buy items through this method. However, at night, when consumers are home, Safari jumps ahead. The website states that online retailers need to focus on optimizing their websites to format correctly in Apple's browser.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Wednesday, August 15th, 2012 at 1:21 am .

Retail industry professionals who are looking to connect and form relationships with other experts will have many opportunities to do just that at Retail Pro's Global Conference, which will be held October 12-16 in San Francisco, California.

The event is open to Retail Pro's Business Partners, Users, Sponsors and Vendors. The conference includes a variety of seminars and educational resources for attendees, who will have the chance to learn more about Retail Pro's products and technologies that help industry professionals with their operations. Throughout the event, there will be several networking opportunities where attendees can meet and greet other retailers and partners, which will give them to chance to establish and develop valuable relationships with experts.

Meeting and seminar topics include Retail Pro software development roadmap, analytics and reporting capabilities with Retail Pro Reports and Retail Pro Business Intelligence, as well as discussions on Retail Pro Prism, the company's latest point-of-sale management system. The conference will conclude with a Retail Pro Prism Boot-camp, which will give attendees the chance to learn about the features and benefits that this retail software offers retail professionals, and also earn the Retail Pro Prism certification by the end of the day-long event. Business Partners, Sponsors, Vendors and Users can register at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 at 10:48 am .

Social media may have started out as a tool for users to share photos and keep in touch with friends, but it is now proving to be a useful resource for business as well. Retailers can take advantage of these platforms to bolster sales among current and potential customers, as well as research and retain data pertaining to consumer shopping behavior. As customers are increasingly using these websites to purchase items and services, retailers are beginning to realize the potential the platforms hold.

UK customers want to use Facebook for shopping

Although it is not yet widespread in the retail commerce industry, there is evidence that consumers are willing to use social media sites, such as Facebook, to purchase items and services. Internet Retailer cites recent research by TNS Omnibus, which found a significant number of shoppers could see themselves doing business with a retailer through Facebook. While only 4 percent of the respondents surveyed stated they had used the site to buy from a company, approximately 25 percent said they would be be open to the idea of shopping on the site. Thirty-five percent said they expect they will purchase more than 10 percent of their products and services through Facebook over the next three years. The report also states that online retail sales in the U.K. through the social site could reach £3.1 billion, or $4.84 billion, by 2015.

Facebook retail could change the landscape

There is strong evidence that indicates retail purchases made by Facebook could significantly change the commerce landscape, if it hasn't already. According to The Guardian, social media sites can also be used for connecting with shoppers who prefer to use that purchasing channel. If retailers decide to integrate a Facebook commerce option, then steps should also be taken to reach out and interact with consumers through the site.

Business 2 Community states that it will be retailers who lead to way for social media purchasing methods. Companies will begin to realize the benefits of operating a site, as it allows for better connections and shorter response times, leading to higher shopper satisfaction. But in order to do that, they must also be willing to conduct analytics, provide customer service and engage in effective marketing strategies to be able to maintain a successful Facebook presence.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Tuesday, August 14th, 2012 at 1:49 am .

Mobile devices provide a variety of benefits for consumers and retailers. Customers are increasingly using their phones to perform daily tasks, and they are even beginning to bring them into retail stores, whether to research more information or look up prices at another location. This is signaling a need for change within the retail industry, as in-store operations are starting to feel the impact from this trend. When it comes to shoppers using their mobile devices at brick-and mortar locations, merchants should step up their management efforts to ensure the best possible outcome for the store and the consumer.

Managing a new mobile strategy

There are several mobile retail technology solutions that can be used in the store, which could help businesses when developing a new method. Internet Retailer reports that many companies have already implemented these systems, as many are catching on to the increasing trend of consumers using their mobile phones. Although a retailer might have a fully operating and successful website for outside sales, it is still important for purchases to be made in the store. With the price transparency that comes with customers' mobile devices, coupled with the emergence of sales on the internet, in-store retailers will need to make changes and improvements in order to keep up and be successful in their market, writes Internet Retailer.

National Retail Federation to provide mobile research service

For retailers that want to stay on top of mobile trends and topics that are impacting the industry, the National Retail Federation (NRF) has announced that it is launching a service, titled Integrated Mobile Initiative (IMI). This new research arm will aim to keep retailers on top of the mobile aspects that can affect their businesses and the sector as a whole. This includes the opportunities and challenges that mobile technologies can present for the industry, as well as fostering the growth of retail companies all over the world.

"Retailers are inherently driven to stay ahead of the curve when it comes to their customers' demands, and today nothing is more important than mobile technologies that provide seamless cross-platform shopping experiences," said NRF's senior vice president of communities Vicki Cantrell. "As mobile rapidly changes both consumers' expectations and the overall shopping experience, the IMI will serve as the go-to source for information for retailers, their business partners, the media and interested parties across the world on the practical aspects of implementation and resources for mobile retailing."  

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Monday, August 13th, 2012 at 1:53 am .

Retail Pro will be hosting a day-long boot camp for attendees who want to learn more about the company's newest point-of-sale management software solution.

The boot camp will be featured on the last day of Retail Pro's 2012 Global Conference in San Francisco, California, which will take place October 12-16. The class that is being offered will help business partners and users gain a better understanding of the system and how it can benefit retailers with its customer, employee and POS management processes. Many topics related to the product will be covered, including the basics of operating Retail Pro Prism, how its communication solutions can help streamline operations and also how it supports the customer relationship management aspect of retail. Attendees will be able to earn their Retail Pro Prism certification after completing the course, and will be able to successfully implement the solution into their respective businesses.

Retail Pro's 2012 Global Conference is open only to members of the Retail Pro community – business partners, customers, sponsors and alliance partners. At the event, retail professionals will be able to gain insightful knowledge into the world of retail, as there will be numerous events and seminars taking place. There will also be many networking opportunities, allowing attendees to connect and interact with other industry experts. Registration information can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, August 10th, 2012 at 10:26 am .

In the most recent wave of retail technology, the push toward mobile payments is leading the way and could be poised to change the purchasing process as merchants and consumers know it. There is good reason for this, as smartphones and tablets are increasingly being used to perform a variety of tasks, which now include payment transactions. Recent research has found that the trend is expected to keep rising over the next few years and perhaps eventually replace traditional purchasing methods within the retail industry.

Next five years to be big for mobile payments

Retailers can expect mobile transactions to become mainstream in the very near future, according to a recent study by Juniper Research. Fierce Mobile Content cites the findings from this research, which anticipates that by 2017, the total value of mobile payments will reach $730 billion worldwide.

"We have already moved towards a multitasking, multimedia environment which offers brands the opportunity for far greater engagement with consumers than was previously the case," said report author Windsor Holden. "Mobile is increasingly being deployed at all touchpoints in the retail process – product discovery, product purchase, customer retention."

For the research, Juniper looked at companies and brands that currently operate within the mobile transaction landscape. This data, coupled with the expectation that retailers will lead the way for mainstream adoption, gave industry experts the expected numbers, states the source.

Another study by IBM found that in 2012's second quarter, mobile retail commerce experienced much success, while sales through social media fell. Customers who completed purchases with their mobile devices grew by 15 percent for retailers, and is anticipated to keep climbing.

Retailers need to offer speed with mobile transactions

Although the numbers for mobile payments are steadily increasing, retailers should make some considerations, writes Internet Retailer. Providing speed with mobile transactions should be a primary focus for companies, as shoppers could be turned off from a site or transaction that takes a considerable amount of time. This could even result in the consumer going to competitor, decreasing loyalty and revenue for the original company. The source recommends that businesses ensure their mobile payment systems are providing the speed, as well as the accuracy, that consumers are looking for (and expect) from their retailers.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Friday, August 10th, 2012 at 1:55 am .

Retail Pro will be hosting its 2012 Global Conference in San Francisco, California, between October 12-16.

The event will feature seminars and discussions on topics pertaining to the retail industry, including technology, trends and management processes. Retail Pro's business partners, users, vendors and sponsors can attend the conference, which will provide them with the opportunity to network with other professionals and gain more knowledge on the aspects and outlook for the retail sector. The conference for Business Partners will take place October 12-14, followed by the Retail Pro User Conference on October 14-15. The event will end with a one-day training seminar, Retail Pro Prism Bootcamp, which will give professionals the necessary knowledge of the company's newest point-of-sale software system. Attendees of the Bootcamp will also earn their certification at the end of the day-long event.

Throughout the conference, Business Partners will be able to gain more insight into Retail Pro's products and how they help the various aspects of the industry. There will also be several opportunities for networking with other retail professionals, as well the chance to ask questions and learn all there is to know about Retail Pro's technology solutions and products. The conference is available only for Business Partners, Vendors, Sponsors and Users of Retail Pro, and registration information can be found at https://www.retailpro.com/2012Conference/Registration.php

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 at 10:44 am .

Although the Olympic team for Great Britain might not be at the very top of the medal count, British athletes have seen much success in their respective sports. Retailers are putting forth their best efforts to capitalize on this success, by participating in marketing and sales programs to draw in more customers.

According to Marketing Week, many sports retailers have experienced an increase in shoppers, both online and in the store. Sports like swimming, tennis and cycling have seen a rise in interest, as customers are buying equipment and athletic wear to be able to participate in these forms of fitness. One online retailer, Wiggle, which sells bicycles and associated equipment, has experienced a 71 percent increase in traffic on its website. Company executives say that over the past few weeks, bike sales have risen significantly.

The Olympics is leading the way for another trend in the retail world. Mobile payments is being tested out among athletes at the London Games, reports Investor Place. Competitors have been given Samsung smartphones that have payment capabilities through an already-installed application, and industry experts are waiting to see how the new purchasing trend will turn out. Many believe this testing phase will highlight the convenience as well as any problems that might arise for consumers and retailers, states the source.

This entry was posted by Retail Pro on Thursday, August 9th, 2012 at 10:43 am .