By: Angela Soric
Despite economic hard times, analysts predict holiday spending will be equal to or greater than last year’s numbers.
According to Deloitte’s 24th annual holiday survey, 54 percent say they expect the economy will improve in 2010, compared with 28 percent responding favorably last year. The study also revealed that consumers are more willing to shop from their mobile devices now more than ever. One in five shoppers plan to use a mobile phone to assist them with holiday purchases-from research to execution.
Many mass-market stores such as Target and Best Buy have had mobile applications for some time. However, niche retailers are perhaps seeing the benefit and developing retail apps of their own, just in time for the holiday season.
“Smartphones are getting smarter, and applications are getting easier to use. Today, you not only have the iPhone, but the Pre, myTouch, and the Droid. I think it goes back to being time-starved. If you’re out and about and you have five minutes of idle time and remember that you forgot to buy that water filter or whatever, why not order it in 60 seconds via Amazon”. –Paula Rosenblum, Retails Systems Research
