Mobile retailers

Consumers are increasingly using their mobile devices to comparison shop with 54 percent of smartphone users wanting to use their handsets for mobile coupons, according to a study from BrandSpark International.

Registration is open for the Mobile FirstLook: Strategy 2012 conference Jan. 19 with speakers from Macy’s, InsightExpress, Coca-Cola, MTV, Walgreens and Sears. This day-long New York event is a must-attend for marketers, retailers and agencies.

According to a new Juniper Research study, mobile couponing is poised to reach redemption rates of 8 percent by 2016.

The proliferation of mobile device growth has influenced women’s use of mobile coupons with 55 percent of women saying they would be willing to opt-in to receive discounts and offers, according to a new study by Ping Mobile.

This holiday season, brands and marketers are stepping up their mobile application efforts. After skyrocketing mobile sales this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retailers are starting to understand that mobile shopping apps are crucial to holiday mobile efforts.

PayPal saw a 516 percent increase in global mobile payment volume on Black Friday in 2011 compared to 2010.

EBay has partnered with food truck Kara’s Cupcakes for the Happy Holiday Hotspots campaign to deliver sweet treats and let consumers bypass the long Black Friday lines by buying via eBay’s mobile application.

Brands and marketers are taking note that mobile is a key ingredient in driving in-store traffic and retail sales. It is no surprise that companies are building apps specifically for Black Friday to provide consumers with another purchasing medium.

EBay confirmed that 2011 will be its largest mobile shopping season to date with an expected $5 billion in mobile sales, driven in part by the holidays.

Retailers should be incorporating SMS into the their mobile commerce sites this holiday season to let consumers share, sign up for mobile loyalty programs and to remind users of abandoned shopping carts, according to industry experts.