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6 Dec, 2012

Browsers/Apps More Popular than Swipe/Tap Method for Mobile Holiday Purchasing

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Worthington, OH (PRWEB) December 05, 2012 – Not only will holiday shoppers be using smartphones and tablets for “showrooming” this holiday season—many also plan to make purchases directly from their devices. Just under half of Mobile Users (45.0%) say they are somewhat or very likely to make a purchase this holiday season using a mobile browser or app, according to a recent analysis from Prosper Mobile Insights™. Fewer (34.2%) say they are likely to swipe or tap their device to pay for a transaction in a store. However, it appears that Apple® iOS Users, those with iPhone or iPad devices, might be slightly more likely to utilize mobile payments for holiday purchases:

Somewhat/Very Likely to Swipe/Tap Device to Pay In-Store

iOS: 37.7%
Android: 32.9%

Somewhat/Very Likely to Purchase Via Mobile Browser/App

iOS: 48.4%
Android: 46.5%

Source: Prosper Mobile Insights™ Mobile Survey, Nov-12

For the full, complimentary report, click here (registration required).

For retailers wanting to boost mobile sales this holiday season, Mobile Users say free shipping, coupons and free gifts with purchases would be likely to entice them to buy using a smartphone or tablet:

“What would entice you to make a purchase via mobile this holiday season rather than buying in-store or online using a computer?” (Mobile Users)

Free shipping: 57.7%
$ off coupon: 47.7%
% off coupon: 38.7%
Free gift with purchase: 36.9%
Next day shipping: 21.6%
Hold item for store pick-up: 13.5%
Nothing would entice me; I don’t plan to make mobile purchases: 21.9%

Source: Prosper Mobile Insights™ Mobile Survey, Nov-12

According to Shop.org, free shipping was a big hit for online retailers during Thanksgiving weekend and Cyber Monday, and it looks like this tactic has the potential to lure in mobile holiday shoppers as well throughout the season.

“Avoiding the hustle and bustle of in-store shopping as well as the cost of having the perfect gift shipped to your door is a win-win for holiday shoppers,” said Pam Goodfellow, Consumer Insights Director, BIGinsight™. “While Mobile Users tend to be seen as trend-setters, their affinity for free shipping implies that this is a promotion likely to stand the test of time.”

For help with holiday shopping, most Mobile Users (64.6%) will turn to Amazon’s app, while apps from eBay (31.5%) and Groupon (17.7%) also appear popular. RetailMeNot appears more popular among Apple Users (13.9%) compared to Android Users (8.8%).

When searching for deals through social media on a smartphone or tablet, most Mobile Users (53.5%) turn to Facebook. Android Users (58.2%) seem especially prone to search this social network during the holiday season compared to iOS Users (46.7%). However, Apple aficionados are more likely to be searching pin boards for gift ideas: 13.9% with an iOS device plan to use Pinterest compared to 8.2% of those with Android-based devices.

Besides shopping, what other merry mobile activities are smartphone and tablet users accomplishing with their devices this year? Find out at the BIG Consumer Blog – Battle of the Sexes: Merry Mobile Activities

For more insights on how consumers are using smartphones and tablets, download the Prosper Mobile Android™ Tablet App or install the Apple® Web App. You can also access the online Prosper Mobile InsightCenter™, updated monthly with fresh insights and mobile consumer trends.

The November mobile survey included 333 smartphone and tablet users from the SSI Panel who completed the survey on their devices. The survey was collected from 11/19 – 11/26/12 and the margin of error is +/- 5.4%. Prosper Mobile Insights™ is a trademark of Prosper Business Development. http://www.prospermobile.com