Big retailers are seeing big success with mobile sales
The subject of mobile technology and its place in the retail industry is in constant discussion these days. There seems to be little more intriguing for retailers and retail analysts than the possibilities offered by rapidly advancing technology in the field of mobile devices, such as smart phones and tablets. Retailers with the capability have been engaging in practices such as marketing, sales, exclusive offers, and interactive features through mobile point of sale for a couple of years now. However, it can be sometimes difficult to quantify the efficiency of this method in attracting business and making money. A recent Mobile Commerce Daily article offers some raw data that is both exciting and surprising: Starbucks has reported that 10% of its sales have come from mobile transactions.
Part of this success may be attributed to the benefits offered by engaging in mobile transactions; the Starbucks App offers My Starbucks Rewards that give you an incentive to use it and to make purchases. The app is apparently now used by over 10,000 active customers, with 80,000 new My Starbucks Rewards users each week. This is an example of exceptional growth through the intelligent use of incentives-based offering. Give people a reason to engage in newer or less conventional means of business transactions and they may do just that!
Mobile transactions can take a bit of stress off of the waiting line, and it can also offer customers an easier experience once they get the hang of the technology. It would not be surprising to see other retailers look at this data and heavily consider how it could benefit their business as well. While many large retailers do offer their own apps, some are certainly more useful, and used, than others.