Shopping Via Mobile Devices Is Now A Norm Around The World

Shopping via a mobile device has become the norm and not just in the U.S. but around the world.

That’s according to a new survey released on Tuesday (Sept. 27) by the Interactive Advertising Bureau. The survey of mobile users from 19 countries found 75 percent of smartphone and tablet users said they have made purchases of products and services via a mobile device during the past six months.

What’s more, the survey, titled “Mobile Commerce: A Global Perspective,” found that close to 25 percent buy on mobile devices every week. In Turkey and China, mobile purchases account for the largest percentage of total monthly purchases on smartphones or tablets. Consumers in the U.K., Singapore and Australia said one-third or more of purchases are on mobile devices.

“The mobile shopping experience, enhanced by the combination of convenience, time saving and price, won high marks from the majority (80 percent) of those polled,” the researchers said in a press release. “Sixty-two percent plan to purchase more products and services via their smartphone or tablet in the next six months. Mobile purchasers in the U.K., Brazil, France, Ireland and Peru expressed the greatest propensity for increasing their mobile shopping activities.”

The report also found that 57 percent of the consumers who use a mobile device to purchase something said they have been using mobile to buy things for more than a year. Still, 28 percent said their first mobile purchase was made in the last six months.

“Pressing the ‘buy’ button on mobile devices is now a regular occurrence the world over,” added Anna Bager, SVP of mobile and video at IAB. “Marketers and media agencies need to fully embrace smartphones and tablets as a critical pathway for all shopping activities and increase investment if they want to build meaningful relationships with mobile consumers, driving them from discovery to purchase.”