Mobile Commerce Sales Hit Almost 25 Billion! Improve M-Commerce With Same-Day Delivery

Although their were low holiday sales last year, overall m-commerce for the year stood to be very impressive. The results are in for mobile commerce in 2012 and experts do like what they have found.

M-Commerce sales reached an impressive $24.66 billion in 2012 reported E-Marketer via Internet Retailer. The results means m-commerce increased an astounding 81% from a year ago. E-Marketer received the numbers from counting the sales made from tablets, smartphones, and other mobile devices. Retail sales from mobile devices accounted for 11% of online sales last year, which is up from 7% in 2011. EMarketer forecasts m-commerce will increase to 15% in 2013. US m-commerce sales will also rise to 55.7% to $38.4 billion in 2013 as well.

In the article, the research firm giant stated, “EMarketer’s m-commerce forecast reflects a confluence of three trends. First, the expanding number of smartphone shoppers whose behavior affects commerce in all channels; second, the growing number of smartphone buyers who enjoy the immediacy of purchasing through their phone and are expected to generate just over one-third of m-commerce sales this year; and third, the rapid rise in tablet shopping, which will produce the bulk of m-commerce sales over the next four years.”

M-commerce definitely appears like it is here to stay and will only increase in the years to come. Many companies are aware of the trends of m-commerce and are implementing various business strategies to pull shoppers to their retail sites. One of those strategies is offering shoppers a faster way to get their products in their hands via same-day delivery. Wal-Mart, eBay, Macy's, Target, and more are currently testing same-day delivery throughout the US. This type of service creates a huge competitive advantage online.

Same-day courier services like A1Express are able to partner will online retailers and help them be successful with their online deliveries. With the speed of ordering via M-Commerce that shoppers have, an effective delivery solution is vital to your order fulfillments. From small packages to palletized freight, A1Express can delivery fast! The Atlanta courier has the transportation expertise to help your business take the lead in m-commerce.

Reference: 1.10.13, Internet Retailer, Bill Siwicki, M-commerce sales near $25 billion in 2012, up 81%

Retailers Absorb Hit Of Low Holiday Sales, Better Deliveries Helped Online Sales Grow

With a successful Black Friday and Thanksgiving having a record of four $1 billion days of sales, every retailer, whether a small business and large corporation, expected to see more of it. The holiday sales season was on a record pace that the economy had not seen consistently in a while. However, those sales numbers changed for the worst.

Holiday sales grew at the lowest since 2008 reported Fox News via the Associated Press. Sales were expected to grow 3 to 4 percent this year, however, they grew a low 0.7 percent for the two months before Christmas. Even in the midst of the 2008 recession, sales grew at 2 to 3 percent. In 2011, sales increased by 4 to 5 percent. "A lot of the Christmas spirit was left behind way back in Black Friday weekend. We had one reason after another for consumers to say, 'I'm going to stick to my list and not go beyond it.'", stated Marshal Cohen, chief research analyst at NPD Incorporated. It appears most shoppers planned to do the bulk of their shopping during the popular four-day sales extravaganza. Shoppers appeared to not be interested in buying more gifts after that.

Numerous of events had an affect on consumer spending this holiday season. Storm Sandy put the northeast region of the country in the position to spend their extra money on recovery. This part of the country accounts for 24 percent of total retail sales. The devastation of the Newtown shooting right before Christmas caused many Americans to center their attention elsewhere than shopping. The uncertainty of the economy and looming fiscal cliff going into 2013 weighed in also.

Online sales for the holidays grew at least 8.4 percent reported payments card company MasterCard. In contrast, Chase Paymentech released online sales went up 15.3 percent. Either way, retailers are happy they did gain ground online, which makes up 10 percent of holiday sales. Many shoppers utilized their smartphones, iPads, and more to find the best online deals. In addition to deals, online sales also increased due to retailers offering better deliveries. Retailers offered offered later cut-off dates and guaranteed delivery on Christmas Eve, along with free shipping.

Delivering online products fast is becoming more attractive to shoppers, even same-day delivery. Retailers like Wal-Mart, eBay and Macy's are currently offering same-day delivery of their products and testing these services throughout the US. Same-day delivery is as close as shoppers can get to a physical store, which they are able to save time and money. The retailer that can perform same-day delivery will be successful in the years to come.

Same-day couriers like A-1 Express is a viable option to help your order fulfillment and online growth. This San Diego courier is an experienced, professional courier with the ability to fast! From small packages to palletized freight, A-1 Express can help retailers implement courier logistic solutions to meet online demand and expand quickly nationwide.

Reference: 12.26.12. Associated Press, US retailers report weakest holiday sales since 2008; Internet Retailer, Zak Stambor, Mixed messages on holiday sales

Working Out The Kinks Of Mobile Shopping, Same-Day Delivery Makes It Better!

Mobile shopping is becoming more and more a vital aspect of retail business online. The growth of online business during the holidays this year is proof of that. However, many experts feel m-commerce, although it is rising, it still has some kinks that have to be worked out to really cause it to soar like retailers want.

Fortune Magazine reported details on just how shoppers are using the different modes of mobile tech gadgets to shop and many were interesting. Mobile shopping made up 10% of e-commerce in the quarter ending in September. What tech consultants found is that shoppers are not using their smartphones mostly to conduct their online shopping. Many companies envisioned mobile shopping to be easily captured via smartphone, but it's not. In contrast, analysts say it's difficult for consumers to use their smartphone to shop. Forrester analyst Sucharita Mulpuru said in the report, "The smartphone is actually a terrible device to complete a transaction on. There's no question that the tablet is easier."

Tablets are clearly proving to be leading the way. Forrester stated that tablets accounted for 3.2% of all US online retail sales, while smartphones only accounted for 1.5%. More interesting data by Denver online retailer eBags showed 10.8% of tablet traffic and created 10.4% of sales. Smartphone traffic represented 8.4%, however, only accounted for 2.9% of sales. Tablets are similar to having a desktop in your hand and are easier to perform transactions with having bigger screens, buttons, and greater comfort with actual performing transactions. Smartphones appear to be used more so for researching deals, even when inside physical stores comparing prices. Shoppers also will research on their smartphones, and then, make their purchase when they get home.

There are over double the number of smartphones that exist than tablets. EBags is researching how to make the mobile shopping experience more attractive on smartphones by making bigger buttons and eliminating dead spots that receive few clicks. They also want to make it easier to navigate. During Thanksgiving and Cyber Monday, online sales had four days of over $1 billion in spending by shoppers. Mobile devices accounted for 16% of all sales during this high time.

Shoppers also want fast delivery from their mobile devices. Retail giants like Wal-Mart and eBay understand this, and in fact, are currently testing same-day delivery for online orders in San Francisco and other US cities. Amazon offers shoppers to have their purchases delivered in one day to Amazon Locker pick up locations and can be picked up easily by the customer. This is another creative way to deliver online products faster.

Same-day couriers like A-1 Express can partner with any retail company and help bring a competitive advantage to their mobile online sales. Your company can utilize a courier to make same-day deliveries of their products online within a 30 mile radius of your business locations and/or distribution centers throughout the US. The Miami courier has a nationwide footprint and can implement a courier logistics solution to fit the direction of your online business. Mobile shopping with your company will be made more attractive when customers see you can deliver what they buy fast.

Reference: 12.21.12, Fortune Magazine, Verne Kopytoff, Surging yes, but mobile shopping still has a long way to go

Black Friday Starting Thursday, Couriers Can Help Holiday Sales Thrive

The shopping holiday season is about to officially begin, as Thanksgiving arrives. Black Friday, the day afterwards, is the big day shoppers are waiting for. However, the way retailers have viewed Black Friday this year, all the gloves are off and many are beginning to offer their deals sooner than the traditional Black Friday.

Retailers are actually rolling out their deals on Thanksgiving Day. CNN Money reported Black Thursday could be the newest trend beginning this year. This results from retailers jockeying for position to be the first store to open for the holiday sales season. Wal-Mart and Toy-R-Us will be opening at 8pm on Thanksgiving night. Target will be opening at 9pm also. This means many shoppers will shorten their turkey night to go and catch the deals. Others my use the shopping experience as a time to bond and have fun with their families.

The Black Thursday shopping day my be good for retailers, but is being opposed by employees. They will have to cut their Thanksgiving Day short in order to work. The article mentioned Target employee Casey St. Clair that has taken a stand, receiving 170,000 supporters to close stores on Thanksgiving evening. This issue will probably be the difference maker in whether Black Thursday will stand or buckle in the years to come.

Regardless, There is still positive signs for this year's sales on Black Friday. The National Retail Federation forecasts holiday sales will increase 4.1%, which is not as high as the 5.6% from last year. Online sales increased by 24% in 2011 and are expected to see growth as well. More shoppers are using their iPads and other mobile devices to find and purchase the best deals. Many large corporations are seeking to make online retail as convenient as possible, even testing markets utilizing same-day delivery to get products to their customers a lot faster.

Same-day delivery is what can help retailers meet the shopping demand this holiday season, especially to increase their online sales. Same-day couriers like A-1 Express can assist any company with their order fulfillments nationwide. This Phoenix courier can pick up and delivery your holiday products fast! A-1 Express can create a courier logisitics solution for your company just in time for the holiday rush and help your business thrive.

References: 11.12.12, CNN Money, Emily Jane Fox, Black Thursday is the new Black Friday; www.nrf.com

Storm Isaac Stops Gulf Oil Production, Gas Prices To Go Up 2.4%

Gas prices were already on the incline as we close the summer and many hoped for the spike to stop. As Isaac gets closer to shore on the Gulf Coast, measures have had to be taken by oil refineries in the area, which will cause gas prices to go up--again.

Tropical Storm Isaac is reported by Yahoo News to be touching the Gulf Coast and refineries are stopping oil production to prepare for it. Production plants will be shut off for about 3 days this week. With the possible reduction of gas supply, gas prices went up quickly on Monday over $.07 per gallon. With Isaac looming, prices could reach a US average of $3.80 per gallon as we head into Labor Day. Gas prices are expected to decline after the holiday and Isaac has subsided.

It appears oil refineries have shut down production as a precautionary measure, but we still will feel the burden this week. Isaac is not as strong as expected and will only be a Category 1 hurricane on Tuesday. At this level, the production plants will survive the high winds. The key for the refineries is with so much oil being produced, stopping the plant suddenly if needed, the cooked oil in the pipes could cause delays in restarting it. Therefore, it was expedient to shut them down Monday. As of Monday, %80 of the Gulf oil production was suspended.

To keep gas prices down, the government is considering tapping into the US Strategic Petroleum Reserve. This is our emergency oil reserve, which was also utilized after Hurricane Katrina. Either way, gas prices could continue to go up in the months to come.

With so many businesses and consumers heading into the Labor Day Weekend, transporting goods right now is of great importance. This is especially critical to be able to meet last-minute deliveries and other services with the ripple effect of Isaac nationwide. The weather in various states will even be affected. It would be helpful to turn to a courier for same-day deliveries to handle any normal business adjustments.

Courier services such as A-1 Express can help individuals and companies with same-day deliveries nationwide. With this week's gas prices, your business can turn to A-1 Express to deliver your products, which actually could cost less than if your company performed the deliveries itself. This natiowide courier has the ability to optimize delivery routes and provide multi-stop deliveries that can be cost effective. In this difficult time, A-1 Express can meet your delivery needs and help keep your gas costs down.

Reference: 8.27.12, YahooNews, Jonathan Fahey/Samantha Bomkamp-Gas prices rise as refineries shut for Isaac