2. Table of Contents
The Mobile Influence Factor__________________________________________4
Mobile Shoppers are the future of retail_________________________________6
Snowball effect____________________________________________________7
A new approach to mobile___________________________________________8
There’s an app for that______________________________________________9
Ready. Set. Go mobile._____________________________________________10
Survey Methodology_______________________________________________ 11
Mobile Influence and Projection______________________________________ 12
Sources and notes ________________________________________________ 13
Authors_________________________________________________________14
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 2
3. As a retail executive, there are several specific questions you should consider when assessing the
importance of mobile.
• How can mobile drive value and incremental revenue for your business?
Today’s retail executives are grappling • What market impact is mobile expected to have — now and in the future?
with a highly disruptive and rapidly • How quickly do you need to move?
shifting business environment. Many • And perhaps most important, how do mobile-related opportunities stack up against
other potential investments that are competing for your company’s limited resources?
retailers are struggling to drive
incremental growth, and some don’t When it comes to mobile, many retailers focus primarily on sales transactions conducted through mobile
devices, or mCommerce. But recent research conducted by Deloitte Consulting LLP shows that there may
have enough capital to fund all of
be a more effective approach for determining the impact of mobile and how it influences and drives sales
the initiatives they want to pursue. in other channels—particularly in-store sales. According to our analysis, mobile (defined as smartphones
Meanwhile, customer behaviors are for this analysis) influences 5.1 percent of all retail store sales in the United States—which translates
to roughly $159 billion in forecasted sales for 20121. That projection far overshadows the $12 billion2
changing profoundly—particularly due
forecasted for mCommerce sales in 2012. And it’s just the beginning. Based on our research, the next four
to the ways that technology is now years are going to be huge for mobile. Its influence is anticipated to grow exponentially to 17–21 percent
being used as part of the shopping of total retail sales, amounting to $628–$752 billion in mobile-influenced store sales by 2016.
process. Consumer adoption of mobile is Adoption of mobile devices by consumers is growing by leaps and bounds. According to our study, roughly
growing at an exponential rate, and your half of consumers surveyed currently own a smartphone3. This can give your competitors and other outside
influencers an easy entry point into your store—and there is nothing you can do to stop them. However,
competitors are exploiting this trend to
you can take proactive actions to reduce the threat and start using mobile to your advantage. For example,
invade the four walls of your store. investing in enhanced mobile apps can help you retain control of the customer experience and proactively
support what information consumers have access to at each stage of the shopping process. This helps
insulate your customers from outside influences and can significantly boost your in-store conversion rates.
As used in this document, “Deloitte” means Deloitte Consulting LLP, a subsidiary of According to our study, the conversion rate in the store for shoppers who use a retailer’s dedicated app is
Deloitte LLP. Please see www.deloitte.com/us/about for a detailed description of
21 percent higher than those who don’t—most likely because such apps can provide a more relevant and
the legal structure of Deloitte LLP and its subsidiaries. Certain services may not be
available to attest clients under the rules and regulations of public accounting. tailored shopping experience that helps people make an immediate buying decision.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 3
4. The mobile influence factor
Figure 1 - Mobile Influence Factor Methodology To better understand the growing impact of mobile devices in the retail sector, Deloitte recently
conducted an in-depth study asking consumers how they’re currently using their smartphones for
Own a shopping, and how they are likely to use them in the future. We found that mobile devices are already a
smartphone
major factor in retail—but not necessarily in the way most retailers think.
Use it in a particular
retail category
According to our research and analysis, the biggest impact of smartphones isn’t direct sales generated
through the mobile channel, but rather the influence they exert over traditional in-store sales to drive
in-store conversion and in-store average order size. To quantify this impact, we developed a metric called
Mobile influence factor the mobile influence factor, which is derived from the following data:
• Nearly half (48%) of all U.S. consumers already own a smartphone, and that number is
Frequency of use rising fast.
in that category
Use it for
store-related • Roughly 58% of consumers who own a smartphone have used it for store-related shopping.
shopping
Total buying
population Varies by store category • Among smartphone shoppers, the percentage who use their phone for shopping varies by
store category, from 49% in electronics and appliance stores to 19% in convenience stores
and gas stations.
• Once consumers start using their smartphones for shopping they tend to use them a lot —
typically for 50-60% of their store shopping trips, depending on the store category.
Our proprietary methodology enables us to estimate the percentage of traditional in-store sales being
influenced by mobile devices during the shopping process (figure 1).
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 4
5. The mobile influence factor (cont’d)
The mobile influence factor varies by store category, depending on Figure 2 - Mobile Influence Factor by store category
the smartphone adoption rate and frequency of use for that type
of store (figure 2). Smartphone shopping adoption Frequency of Mobile influence Projected influence
by store category use by store factor (2012) factor (2016)
Next, we expanded our look across categories. We estimate Electronic/Appliances 49% 60.9% 8.3% 29.4% - 33.7%
that 5.1 percent of all in-store retail sales in the U.S. are currently GM/Department/Warehouse 46% 52.5% 6.7% 23.8% - 27.2%
influenced by mobile (based on a weighted average that reflects Clothing/Footware 38% 56.2% 5.9% 21.1% - 24.1%
the varying sales levels for different types of stores). Multiplying Food/Beverage 35% 58.2% 5.7% 18.7% - 23.0%
this number by 2012 forecasted retail store sales of roughly $3 Books and Music 33% 57.1% 5.2% 17.3% - 21.3%
trillion1 suggests that mobile is already set to influence more than
Home Improvement/Garden 31% 53.5% 4.6% 15.2% - 18.7%
$159 billion in sales. And that’s just the beginning. We expect
Sporting Goods, Toys, Hobby 30% 56.7% 4.7% 15.6% - 19.2%
mobile’s influence to grow exponentially over the next four years,
Health/Personal Care/Drug 27% 58.4% 4.4% 14.5% - 17.8%
driven by a perfect storm of rising smartphone penetration,
increased adoption by shoppers, decreasing barriers to use, and Furniture/Home Furnishing 24% 58.7% 3.9% 12.9% - 15.9%
improved mobile functionality for retail applications. Misc Including Office Supplies 22% 51.1% 3.1% 10.3% - 12.7%
Convenience/Gas Station 19% 56.0% 3.0% 8.5% - 11.2%
Weighted Average 5.1% 17.2% - 20.6%
Source: Deloitte Mobile Influence Survey, March 2012
Note: The base for “Smartphone Shopping Adoption by Store Category” is survey respondents that own a
smartphone and have ever used it to shop, either before they go to a store or in the store. The “Mobile Influence
Factor” applies to all store sales in that category.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 5
6. Mobile shoppers are the future of retail
Smartphone ownership and use is significantly higher among consumers who are 25–34 years old: 65
percent own a smartphone and 68 percent use it to help with shopping in a brick-and-mortar retailer3. As
these consumers get older, their use of smartphones for shopping is likely to remain steady or rise, even
as younger consumers armed with smartphones enter their prime shopping years.
What’s more, our analysis reveals that once people start using smartphones for shopping, they tend to go
“all in.” According to the study results, smartphone use for store-related shopping increases by 40 percent
after the first six months of device ownership—further accelerating the incredible pace of adoption. Also,
while initial use of smartphones for shopping varies widely by store category, once consumers start to use
the device in a particular type of store, they tend to consistently use it for more than 50 percent of their
trips within that category—regardless of what the category is. Plus, smartphones dramatically improve
conversion rates. Our analysis shows that smartphone shoppers are 14 percent more likely than
non-smartphone shoppers to convert in store. Those are powerful numbers.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 6
7. Snowball effect
The current influence of mobile devices on traditional in-store sales already far overshadows the value
of direct sales on mobile devices, which is forecasted to be $12 billion2 in 2012. And by 2016 we expect
the influence of mobile will even surpass the fast-growing sales of the eCommerce channel. In fact, we
project the mobile influence factor will reach 17–21 percent over the next four years, which will likely
translate to $628–$752 billion (or an average of $689 billion) in mobile influenced retail sales.
Though mobile is still in its infancy, smartphones already play a greater role in planning and executing
store-related shopping trips (used for 33 percent of all trips) versus laptops/netbooks (31 percent) and
desktop computers (24 percent)3. And keep in mind that those other technologies have been around for
much longer than mobile.
Mobile-Influenced store sales vs mCommerce and eCommerce sales
Sources: Row 1: eMarketer — US Mobile Commerce Forecast: Capitalizing on Consumers’ Urgent Needs; Row 2:
Deloitte analysis; Row 3: Forrester — U.S. Online Retail Forecast, 2011–2016
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 7
8. A new approach
to mobile
Many retailers continue to focus their mobile investments on
driving mCommerce—usually through the organization that runs
the eCommerce channel, which itself is often still viewed as a
separate business with its own P&L that is independent from the
stores. In fact, 82 percent of the retailers surveyed state that the
objective of mobile for their company is to drive revenue to their
website4. This view can make it difficult for a retailer’s mobile
activities to get the attention or investment they require, and tends
to limit the focus and scope of how retailers leverage mobile.
Given the large and growing impact of mobile devices on
traditional sales, retailers should consider changing their approach
to mobile. With 17–21 percent of store sales potentially being
mobile-influenced by 20165—and higher-conversion rates driven
by mobile—store-based retailers should consider mobile as a
strategic imperative because it affects the entire business, not just
online or mCommerce sales. Mobile should be used as a strategic
lever to boost sales across the business. And it should be a C-suite
issue, not a minor topic buried at the bottom of the eCommerce
division’s to-do list.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 8
9. There’s an app for that
When are you most likely to use your Retailers should consider developing new or improved mobile apps that provide key tools and information
smartphone for a store-related shopping trip? to help and influence shoppers at each stage of the decision-making process—especially while in the
store. Also, retailers should recognize that consumer needs vary by product and shopping trip, and
customize mobile app capabilities accordingly. Smartphones are most likely to be used for store-related
shopping when the customer is close to or at the point of making a purchase, rather than as a passive
shopping device. Our survey results show that over 60 percent of mobile shoppers use their smartphones
while in a store, and another 50 percent while on their way to a store.
For many smartphone owners, it’s not enough that you provide a mobile-optimized version of your
website with basic product information and transaction capabilities. A more relevant and tailored in-store
shopping experience using a retailer’s dedicated app/site can result in smartphone shoppers that are
more loyal and valuable. Conventional wisdom says that today’s consumers merely use retail stores as a
showroom before buying elsewhere. Our survey results echoed this threat, finding that 37% of shoppers
surveyed that used a smartphone on their last trip used an external app or website (such as a price
comparison tool or deal finder).
Despite this activity, our data also found that consumers want to interact with you – evidenced by the 34%
Source: Deloitte Mobile Influence Survey, March 2012
of shoppers surveyed that used their smartphone on their last shopping trip used a retailer’s mobile app
or website. In fact, our survey shows that 85 percent of consumers surveyed who used a retailer’s native
app or site during their most recent shopping trip actually made a purchase that day, compared to only 64
percent who didn’t use the retailer’s app or site. That’s a huge increase (21 percent) in conversion rates.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 9
10. Ready. Set. Go mobile.
The bottom line is this: If you don’t The mobile landscape is changing and the pace of innovation is breathtaking. Retailers should consider
investments now to leverage the mobile capabilities of today, while not getting left behind as mobile
do it, someone else will. evolves and becomes an even more integral part of the shopping experience.
However, when it comes to mobile one size does not fit all. Retailers should take steps to understand
And they’ll do it to your their customers and how they shop within specific product categories. Based on those insights, retailers
can develop appropriate mobile capabilities to support the needs of a smartphone-enabled shopper
customers inside your stores. before, during, and after the shopping experience. Retailers that limit their mobile focus to mCommerce
may be overlooking a significant opportunity.
Mobile is already having a major impact on store-based sales, and its influence is only increasing. By
enabling mobile capabilities at each stage of the store-shopping journey, retailers can influence sales
revenue and potentially improve conversion rates. Retailers can also significantly influence the customer
experience—including what factors influence the customers’ buying decisions.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 10
11. Survey Methodology
The survey was commissioned by Deloitte and conducted online by an independent research company
between March 20-30, 2012. The survey polled a national sample of 1,041 random consumers and then
augmented this sample with additional smartphone owners to reach a sample of 1,557 smartphone
owners. Data was collected and weighted to be representative of a U.S. Census for gender, age, income
and ethnicity. A 90 percent confidence level was used to test for significance. Below are the margins of
error for specific sample sets in this study:
• National Random Sample—90 percent confidence—margin of error 2–3 percent (+/-)
• Smartphone Owner Sample—90 percent confidence—margin of error 2–3 percent (+/-)
• Smartphone Owners Who Used on Last Trip—90 percent confidence—margin of error
3–4 percent (+/-)
• Smartphone Owners Who Used Retailer’s Mobile App/Site—90 percent confidence
—
margin of error 7–8% (+/-)
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 11
12. Mobile Influence and Projection
The mobile influence factor is a proprietary methodology calculated for each store category using survey
data on the consumers who own a smartphone and how frequently they use their smartphone to aid
shopping in a particular store category. The mobile influence factor for each category is weighted by % of
total retail sales attributed to that category to calculate the aggregate mobile influence factor.
The mobile influence factor projection was based on the projected increase in smartphone penetration
from multiple sources, mCommerce and eCommerce growth rates, and estimated growth in adoption
and frequency of use of smartphone shopping by store category.
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 12
13. Sources and notes
1 Total retail (store) sales for 2012 estimated by applying Economist Intelligence Unit YOY
growth rate to the 2011 retail (store) sales estimate provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. The
following retail categories were excluded from the total retail sales number:
• Motor vehicle and parts dealer (NACIS Code 441)
• Non-store retailer which includes online shopping and mail order houses (NACIS 454)
• Food services and drinking places (NACIS 722)
2 eMarketer — US Mobile Commerce Forecast: Capitalizing on Consumers’ Urgent Needs
3 Deloitte Mobile Influence Survey, March 2012
4 Forrester — Mobile Commerce Forecast: 2011–2016, June 17, 2011
5 Deloitte analysis
Deloitte Digital The dawn of mobile influence 13
