Mobile content and commerce group MEF has published its third annual mobile consumer survey, which involved 10,000 respondents from 13 countries.
It notes that the number of purchases via mobile devices has fallen for the first time, from 54% of mobile media users last year to 42% in 2013, but the value of individual purchases is going up.
In fact, there’s been a 6% decline in lower-value items (under $15.99) and a 6% increase in consumers purchasing high-spend items worth $150 and above. 39% of consumers now used their mobiles for higher-value purchases, compared with 37% for lower-value purchases.
Overall, 65% of all mobile media users had purchased goods or services from their mobile device.
However, consumer trust is an increasing issue. 40% of people said trust was a barrier to increased adoption and purchasing behaviour, compared with 35% in 2012 and 27% in 2011.
Andrew Bud, the Global Chair of MEF, said “MEF’s 2013 annual study vividly illuminates the worldwide emergence of Mobile 3.0, the next phase in the evolution of mobile content and commerce. In Mobile 3.0, mobile has become the primary tool for engagement and transaction in consumers’ digital lives, creating exciting new opportunities and challenges. As an industry, we must continue to work to reduce the barriers to this growth, and especially to ensure trust and confidence in the ecosystem and its business models.”
[MEF Global Consumer Survey 2013]