The new ‘always on’ shopper is attributed to the rise of mobile devices, according to WorldPay research.
The report found that 85% of e-shoppers use a mobile device when purchasing products. Online ‘heavy spenders’ used mobile devices to spend 30% of their disposable income online last year.
The ability to shop on the move has also been responsible for the surge in mobile device usage for online purchasing, with 50% buying on a mobile device when not at home.
On a global scale nearly 20% of consumers shop online using a smartphone. China currently has the largest percentage of smartphone online shoppers with 46% and India follows closely behind with 40%
"Online shoppers are becoming increasingly mobile, no longer chained to their PC to buy goods and services," said Philip McGriskin, chief product officer at WorldPay. "The way shoppers engage with mobile devices is also evolving and will drive the future of eCommerce as consumers look to purchase through apps, mobile websites and using their device on the move. Developing economies and heavy shoppers are ahead of the adoption curve, and as technologies develop and merchants become more experienced offering these services, the eCommerce landscape will change beyond recognition."
Developing economies were found to have the highest proportion of ‘heavy spenders’ with 18% of Chinese shoppers and 16% of Indian shoppers spending less than 10% of their disposable income online.
"eCommerce is growing at a rapid pace," said McGriskin. "Whilst there are variants between consumer shopping habits globally, in general shoppers are turning online to shop. As technologies develop and consumers become more accustomed to ‘always-on’ shopping, consumer purchasing habits will change completely."
Please follow this author on Twitter @Tineka_S or comment below.
