Growth tipped for mobile retail market

Posted by Jessie Richards

Revenues in the worldwide mobile retail market are expected to experience growth in the next few years, IT support users have been told.

A new study from Juniper Research predicted that the industry will be worth over $12 billion (£8 billion) by 2014, with a significant amount of growth being created by the expansion of one-to-one marketing through smartphones.

The report also claimed that the availability of high-speed mobile broadband networks, the growth of mobile web services and greater use of SMS marketing to spread brand messages will drive the growth of the sector.

"Retailers have recognised that, even ahead of their wallets, people will usually make sure they do not leave home without their mobile device," commented research co-author Howard Wilcox.

Last month, Juniper Research claimed the market for mobile location-based services will grow to reach $12.7 billion during the next four years, driven by developments in hybrid positioning technologies and the proliferation of smartphones.