Ebay submits Mobile Manifesto to government

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Online retailer Ebay has submitted a Mobile Manifesto to government setting out what industry and policymakers need to do to help the UK's mobile-powered economy to grow.

The move follows research by Ebay showing that many UK consumers are reluctant to shop on their smartphones due to frustrations with mobile internet speeds.

The manifesto includes seven areas of focus to support the digital economy: faster mobile broadband/better coverage; supporting cross-border trade; mobile optimisation; mobile and local (mobile technology enabling local services); mobile payments; an open mobile internet (net neutrality); and skilling up for next generation of mobile.duction of 4G connectivity to allow next-generation broadband in 2013.

Nearly half of UK consumers questioned (45%) said they were dissatisfied with the speed at which they can download data on their mobile phone. In addition, three quarters (73%) said they would spend more through their mobiles if retailers had optimised websites.

Rosie Srao, mobile business development manager at Marks and Spencer, said: "Our customers are increasingly using their mobiles to make shopping more convenient and easy while they are on the go and it's up to us to make sure that we make the customer journey as simple, fast and engaging as possible."

The Mobile Manifesto also includes recommendations on how to reduce prohibitive data roaming charges. Over half of respondents (53%) had used their mobile internet to browse and find a store location whilst abroad, 49% had compared product prices and a third (36%) had used mobile internet to buy a product. However, Ebay argues that retailers are missing out as two thirds of respondents (63%) said they were put off using the internet more overseas because of the cost of downloading data .

Miriam Lahage, vice president of Global Fashion at eBay, said:
"The mobile economy is proving resilient as people increasingly see owning and using a mobile phone as an essential expense, despite cutting back in other areas.

"As smartphone and tablet ownership increases there will be even greater potential rewards for companies investing in mobile, and this is particularly true for retailers. At eBay in the UK we now see around 10% of sales by value transacted on mobile devices, but we need the right infrastructure in the UK to match this demand.

"For retailers, it's about putting mobile at the heart of your strategy and creating a site that is optimised for every device."

  

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