UK Mobile Commerce set to grow by 15% in 2013

Consumers using their mobile devices to shop online are driving a new online retail boom in the UK. Mobile retail sales are hitting record levels, with around half of all online traffic now originating from mobile devices.

Businesses who offer their products and services through a mobile website or through a mobile app are expected to see a 15% increase in their sales this year alone. Currently mobile commerce accounts for 11.5% of the online shopping market, which is up from 10.2% in 2012.

A recent study carried out by eMarketer which forecasts online shopping and buying penetration, and has predicted that it is the strongest retail market; which will continue to grow in double figures over the coming years. Retail mobile commerce sales include products and services ordered through web browsers or apps via a mobile device, but exclude travel and events tickets.

It is anticipated that the total mobile commerce market is set to be worth £6.61 billion this year and is expected to grow further before hitting £17.24 billion in 2017. Within the same time frame it is predicted that mobile commerce will account for 26.5% of overall online shopping.

eMarketer has predicted that 23.4 million people, roughly 58.3% of online shoppers, will browse goods and services through their smartphone this year, with around 15million or 37.4% will do the same through a tablet device.

These latest figures prove that consumer behaviours are changing, as the High Street declines businesses need to have their mobile presence in place to keep up with their competitors. However 95% of businesses in the UK do not have a mobile website or mobile app and the market is wide open for these businesses to get in on the action of the booming online retail market place.