June 24 2009

5% of top US retailers have m-commerce sites

Within five years that figure will approach 50%, says Acquity Group, with large department stores and mass merchants leading the charge

Of the top 500 online retailers in the US, 4% now offer mobile commerce sites and 1% are offering iPhone-optimised sites, according to analysis by US ecommerce and m-commerce consulting firm Acquity Group.

“Within five years that figure will approach 50%,” Adam Boysen, project manager at Acquity Group, told Internet Retailer. “The trends all are pointing in that direction — people are increasingly on the move, smartphone sales are soaring, awareness of mobile web browsing is growing greatly. We’re primed for big growth in mobile retailing.”

Mass merchants are leading the move to m-commerce, says Acquity, with 15% of top 500 retailers in that sector already offering m-commerce sites. But the appeal is beginning to widen. “Leaders in other categories are starting to follow in the footsteps of the department stores and mass merchants,” says Boysen.

by Sarah Clark (Web Editor)