Mobile shopping on the rise in Taiwan
Taiwan shoppers are following global retail customer trends by shopping online via mobile devices. The Taipei Times reported that smartphone and tablet purchases are outpacing computer-based sales. Online sales made through PCs only increased 1.3 percent between 2012 and 2013, according to the latest data from Taiwan's Market Intelligence and Consulting Institute, as reported by the news publication.
While computer sales increased only slightly, purchases via mobile devices saw a massive surge in comparison. This sector of online shopping grew by 365 percent to become a much more formidable aspect of the retail industry in Taiwan. Mobile sales only came to about $152 per person (up from just $33 per person the previous year) compared to computer sales, which reached only about $575 per person in 2013, but the massive increase indicates a strong trend toward mobile shopping.
According to a report released in February by Digital Strategy Consulting, 68 percent of shoppers across the globe have made purchases on their mobile devices, and 60 percent rely on smartphones and tablets as their primary means of accessing the Internet. For this reason, online retailers may want to invest in ecommerce software that can function smoothly across any platform. Having a solid point of sale that is easy to navigate regardless of the device it's being used on can help drive sales.