Mobile phones have invaded our
lives and have made their own unique stand. They have enabled us to even watch
television apart from the basic functions of making calls and sending texts. Latest
innovation with handsets is that it can be used for shopping also. Shopping
through mobile phones to buys things like train tickets and other items are
very common in Japan, but the trend is yet new in many other countries. The
skyrocketing trend in Japan at present is the integration of websites with
magazines, and television programmes. "Polo Ralph Lauren" the
renowned retailer has launched a new mobile e-commerce site which enables
consumers to shop around, and buy products through their mobile phones. Through
this cutting edge shopping method, consumers can shop from anywhere and at
anytime. This is a far more advanced level than the present computer based
e-commerce.
Polo Ralph Lauren is the first
luxury retailer to launch a mobile shopping site. This is a new way to choose
clothing in a user-friendly and high tech manner. 2D bar codes will be used
under this method, which will direct the customers to Ralph Lauren's mobile
website. Special codes in print ads, store windows, and mailings will be placed
by the company. Consumers will have to download special software to their camera
phones that will scan the codes and direct it to a phone friendly version of
with website of Ralph Lauren. The 2D codes hold a large volume of information
like URL's, which can be detected by the user's phone software and will
automatically connect the user to the portal. Just by holding the phone over
the given symbol or photographing it, the user can get connected with a
specific internet portal.
Apart from shopping, customers
can also read the company's content, magazines and watch exclusive videos as
well. Efforts are also being made to sell mobiles in the market within a year
with pre-installed bar code readers. Consumers can also get mobile alerts on
their handsets. Mobile users who do not have the code reader or a camera can
visit a nearby mobile site to access the tool or for software download. Now,
with mobile shopping, quickness in looking through the racks and getting for
another designer sale is not the concern. Getting a latest cell phone with
browsing capabilities, and downloading the right software to read the bar
codes, and speed of the user's fingers to browse through the latest items have
become more important. This trend is currently spreading throughout Europe, and
is expected by industry experts to make its way from Asia to the US.
M-commerce is a boon to the tech
savvy shopping aficionados. When phones with preinstalled code readers are
introduced in the market, this system of shopping will become more prevalent in
the near future. This technology offers more potential as it will be an
untapped market for the retailers. It brings not only the shopping experience,
but also videos, and magazine contents; all in the palms of the consumers hand.
References:
- http://in.ibtimes.com
- http://www.moconews.net/
- http://www.mobilemarketer.com/
- http://www.luxist.com