Mobile Commerce

A new way to pay for your purchases and get discounts at American Eagle Outfitters has just launced. Say hello to the Google Wallet app, a tap-and-go payment method that can be linked to your Citibank credit card or an American Eagle gift card (or you can add money to your Google Wallet account from any credit card online).

For the past few years, retailers have been refining their mobile offerings in advance of the holiday season. Keeping up with consumer demand has meant providing pricing information, product specifications and customer reviews to mobile users — all leading reasons why last year’s holiday shoppers turned to mobile.

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.

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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.