UK mobile shopping on the rise

Consumers need more options for m-commerce

A growing number of retailers are looking at using mobile technology as a sales channel thanks to faster speeds and a wider range of internet-enabled phones, says analyst Gartner.

But UK consumers are more likely to use a mobile to check prices (18 per cent) than to make a purchase (11 per cent), says the report.

Shops will need to offer a more complete experience to users, said Gartner research vice president Hung LeHong.

"Retailers developing a mobile phone strategy must enable a multichannel shopping process as well as driving m-commerce revenue," he said.

"A few of the more-likely shopping activities such as finding stores and checking prices will be provided by portals and price comparison engines.

"Businesses must be aware of the options that exist in working with these portals, mobile map providers and comparison engines," he said.

The research polled around 2000 consumers in the UK and US.