Almost a quarter of shoppers have bought goods online using a smartphone, according to research by delivery company DPD.
In addition, 19 per cent have shopped online using a tablet computer.
“The m-commerce boom is hugely significant for retailers as internet-connected mobile phones and tablets give customers instant access to the high-street, 24/7,” said DPD chief executive Dwain McDonald.
The research shows that 24 per cent of shoppers expect to shop via their smartphone or tablet device in the next 12 months. It found that 23 per cent of tablet and smartphone users have downloaded online shopping apps to help them make transactions more easily.
McDonald said: “Technology savvy home shoppers now not only expect to be able to browse and buy products whenever and wherever, they expect the same access to information when it comes to the delivery of the goods they’ve ordered.
“In developing their mobile platforms retailers need to consider the whole customer experience from product search and secure sale, through to delivery. Capturing customers’ email and mobile contact details are an essential part of this process. An online sale isn’t complete until the goods arrive on the customer’s doorstep and many shoppers expect to be able to track the progress of their parcel.”
DPD has a mobile web site allowing customers to track their packages or rearrange delivery while on the move. Since its introduction at the end of 2011 over 1.8 million people have used DPD’s mobile site to track more than 3.2 million parcels.
