Smartphone and social media use set the basis for all types of retail marketing trends. A new report from BI Intelligence shows trends in sales within mobile and social media.

Some of the trends analyzed in the report, include: 

• US consumers are spending the majority of their time in shopping apps rather than mobile shopping websites, according to comScore. In response, Apple recently launched a new category in its App Store called “Shopping,” which makes it easier for users to find retailers’ apps. Creating a dedicated section for retail apps is a huge benefit for brands that are looking to boost mobile app engagement, as searching the App Store is the No. 1 way users discover new apps.
• Many beacon programs went mainstream during the holidays this year. The rise of mobile shopping apps has served as a proxy for proximity-based marketing systems such as beacons. Usage of shopping apps on tablets and smartphones increased 174% in 2014 — more than any other app category, according to app analytics company Flurry. Merchant adoption during such a critical time of the year for retail shows just how useful the devices are proving themselves to be.

The full report also looks at:

• Mobile commerce growth
• The types of brands and retailers benefiting from beacon usage
• How Facebook is driving social commerce actions
• The resurgence of affiliate marketing

Article/Photo via: businessinsider.com