Mobile Commerce

The Starbucks Card has become a social phenomenon. Advocates willingly fill them up with credit for the status it brings at the point of sale. Good-natured friends readily recharge the cards of friends through Facebook to spread good will. Starbucks proactively rewards cardholders with perks and special treatment in stores, online, and elsewhere.

The Orvis Company announced the launch of its iPhone and Android rich apps powered by mobile commerce provider Digby. The rich apps complement all of Orvis’ cross-channel touchpoints including retail stores, e-commerce, catalogs, and a mobile-optimized website.

New findings show that mobile devices continue to drive traffic to e-commerce websites. However, shoppers who use iPads and tablets convert to the purchase funnel more often and also spend more money compared to smartphone shoppers. Ability Commerce, a company that provides mobile-optimized versions of e-commerce sites for its clients through the SmartSite e-commerce platform noticed this trend within their customer's analytics.

Best Buy is counting on competitive pricing, new products like the Apple iPhone 5 and more advertising to bring shoppers through the door this holiday season. The consumer electronics chain is not, however, counting on any help from the economy as it tries to make this holiday season different from the last one.

Retail Online Integration is pleased to present the Retail Marketing Virtual Conference & Expo - Fall 2011 on Sept. 27. Don't miss this free, informative one-day virtual event with leading retailers discussing a wide variety of retail marketing topics.

mark, the beauty and fashion boutique brand created by Avon Products, announced the launch of its first mobile sales app: a portable version of its online store. The new application allows mark representatives to share their favorite mark products and complete sale transactions with their customers anytime, anywhere. 

Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s are testing mobile devices in select merchandise areas to engage customers with products and assist them with their purchase decisions. This fall approximately 350 stores will be using tablets to help customers research and select skin care products at Macy’s and Bloomingdale’s Clinique counters.

Kmart is driving traffic to its store locations via a new mobile initiative that rewards consumers when they complete interactive challenges. The company partnered with SCVNGR on the mobile program, which enables consumers to compete in challenges to unlock rewards and discounts.

overstockArt.com announced the official launch of its mobile website. The launch represents another milestone for the company as it continues to make strides in technological innovation. Consumers can now conveniently access the popular online art gallery's collection of more than 60,000 reproduction oil paintings and decorative ceramic tiles on their BlackBerrys, iPhones, Droids, and other small-screen mobile devices.

Now that the final days of summer have come to an end, retailers are in the thick of planning for the busy holiday shopping season. As you start to plan your campaigns, it's important to take a step back and look at how consumers are using their mobile and tablet devices to drive in-store and on-device purchases.