Mobile shopping – and threats – on the rise

It seemed a far-out concept a couple of years ago. As it turns out today, though, mobile shopping has become the biggest thing for businesses and consumers who own smartphones or tables, or both.

The Philippine market may just be a shadow for now of the US, but no doubt we’re headed in the same direction given the growing percentage of Filipinos today who use their smartphone and tablet to surf the Internet and use apps (or applications) to access information.

In the US, the holiday shopping season that was formally ushered in by Thanksgiving Day last November 30 noted double-digit growth of shopping through mobile devices. This signaled the start of a new revolution in e-commerce that eclipses online shopping trends using desktop computers.

The new trends indicate a continuing rise in mobile shopping preference by consumers. Yahoo.com reckons that recent holiday sales figure was 45 percent up from last year, with two-thirds of this coming from smartphones while the remainder through tablets.

Also, owners of Apple smartphone and table devices do more shopping than those who own Androids. Significantly, too, Apple owners’ average spending per purchase is higher, and this is attributed to the fact that Apple users are more affluent than smartphone owners.

In four categories tracked, the health and beauty products showed the highest traffic. Correspondingly, sales for this segment were the highest.

Same trend

The Philippines may not share the same actual volumes that the US has, but analysts say that what is happening in major consumer markets will also happen locally, especially since Filipinos are regarded to be one of the more tech savvy consumers in the world.

This trend also goes for retail-based businesses operating in the country, whether local or global. Retailers cannot ignore the fact that Filipinos will become enamored with the opportunity to browse and purchase goods and services from the net.

For businesses, this represents a whole new world of opportunities of reaching to more consumers, and enticing them to buy what they have to offer.

The same goes for buyers who find it more convenient to shop online than going to a mall. It saves one so much time, effort, and the bother of finding a parking space in the mall, jostling at the cashier desk to pay for purchases, and navigating the traffic to and from the shopping area.

Security threats

Just as much as online shopping through mobile devices is becoming the trend, so is the potential threat from fraudsters who are always on the lookout for opportunities to make a quick buck from unsecured sites that indulge in retailing, or from unsafe consumer practices.

Though businesses are seen as more vulnerable to mobile marketing security weaknesses, the buying public is not spared. And it’s not just shopping that is at risk. Tighter measures are also needed for those using online banking and bills payments.

As businesses adopt better security measures that will keep transactions between them and their customers safer, so must consumers be aware of the fraudulent schemes that surface and resurface with the intent to steal from them.

Login requirement, no matter how cumbersome, should never be underestimated. The same is true with having security access passwords for smartphones and tablets that will deter unwanted purchases on your devices should you misplace or lose these.

Technology advances are a great thing, but we must always be careful with the conveniences that these offer us. Most of the time, we can only blame ourselves when we find ourselves in a position where we’ve been victimized, whether we’re the vendor or the buyer.

Champions League (PCCL) 2013 National Collegiate Championship

Not too long ago, collegiate teams from the provinces hardly got a chance to play for the national championship. The highest rank reached by teams from Cebu was fourth place, which UV Green Lancers, University of Cebu Webmasters and Southwestern U Cobras were able to achieve.

This year, Southwestern U Cobras under coach Yayoy Alcoseba, is on the verge of barging into the best of three games championship series of Champions League (PCCL) 2013 National Collegiate Championship. The Cobras lost the CESAFI title this year but got revenge over their tormentors, UV Green Archers, by winning the Overall Southern Islands championship to advance to the Final Four of the national collegiate championship.

The Cobras surprised the Green Archers last Monday but got ripped badly by NCAA champion, San Beda College Red Lions, on the second day of competitions. For Southwestern U Cobras to achieve a history-making trip to the Championship Series, they have to beat the FEU Tamaraws in the game scheduled today, December 12, 2 p.m. at FilOil Flying V Arena, San Juan City.  

The other crucial game today will be the clash of champions as UAAP champion, DLSU Green Archers, battles with NCAA champion, San Beda College Red Lions. The winners of these two games will dispute the National Collegiate title in a best of three series starting Monday, December 16, at FilOil Flying V Arena.

All games are televised live by ABS-CBN Sports over channel Studio 21.

Visit the PCCL website (CollegiateChampionsLeague.net) for more details/ information on the National Collegiate Championship. Like our official Facebook fan page (Philippine College Champions League) and follow us on Twitter (@pccleague2013).

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Should you wish to share any insights, write me at Link Edge, 25th Floor, 139 Corporate Center, Valero Street, Salcedo Village, 1227 Makati City. Or e-mail me at [email protected]. For a compilation of previous articles, visit www.BizlinksPhilippines.net.