A report has predicted that UK consumers will spend more than it European counterparts on purchasing goods via their smartphones in 2012. The Centre for Retail Research and Price Comparison firm Kelkoo say that the UK is leading the way in terms of mobile shoppers throughout Europe.
Their report predicts that British consumers will spend in the region of £4.5 billion through mobile commerce websites in 2012. This represents a 584% percent increase from the £700 million that was spent in 2010 and a 53% percent rise from last year as £3 billion was spent.
With the UK expected to lead the way again, Germany and France are predicted to spend £2.7 and £1.9 billion respectively. In the UK, there are just over 24 million smartphones with an average of £192 spends per person through these mobile devices. Norway came second with £160, followed by Sweden with £147. The least amount of spenders were Spain and Italy with £43 and £23 respectively.
Chris Simpson, Chief Marketing Officer at Kelkoo, said: "Over the last two years, shopping on mobile phones has increased exponentially as a result of simple and secure payment systems, better functionality and increased uptake of ‘always on’ mobile devices such as iPads and tablets.
"The fact that mobile retailing in the UK has grown by a staggering 584 per cent since 2010 alone highlights how UK consumers are going beyond the PC to find the best online prices wherever they are. At Kelkoo we’ve seen phenomenal growth in mobile shopping comparisons and we’ll be working with our retailers to make the mobile shopping experience as easy as possible from comparison to purchase."