Mobile phones have invaded ourlives and have made their own unique stand. They have enabled us to even watchtelevision apart from the basic functions of making calls and sending texts. Latestinnovation with handsets is that it can be used for shopping also. Shoppingthrough mobile phones to buys things like train tickets and other items arevery common in Japan, but the trend is yet new in many other countries. Theskyrocketing trend in Japan at present is the integration of websites withmagazines, and television programmes. "Polo Ralph Lauren" therenowned retailer has launched a new mobile e-commerce site which enablesconsumers to shop around, and buy products through their mobile phones. Throughthis cutting edge shopping method, consumers can shop from anywhere and atanytime. This is a far more advanced level than the present computer basede-commerce.
Polo Ralph Lauren is the firstluxury retailer to launch a mobile shopping site. This is a new way to chooseclothing in a user-friendly and high tech manner. 2D bar codes will be usedunder this method, which will direct the customers to Ralph Lauren's mobilewebsite. Special codes in print ads, store windows, and mailings will be placedby the company. Consumers will have to download special software to their cameraphones that will scan the codes and direct it to a phone friendly version ofwith website of Ralph Lauren. The 2D codes hold a large volume of informationlike URL's, which can be detected by the user's phone software and willautomatically connect the user to the portal. Just by holding the phone overthe given symbol or photographing it, the user can get connected with aspecific internet portal.
Apart from shopping, customerscan also read the company's content, magazines and watch exclusive videos aswell. Efforts are also being made to sell mobiles in the market within a yearwith pre-installed bar code readers. Consumers can also get mobile alerts ontheir handsets. Mobile users who do not have the code reader or a camera canvisit a nearby mobile site to access the tool or for software download. Now,with mobile shopping, quickness in looking through the racks and getting foranother designer sale is not the concern. Getting a latest cell phone withbrowsing capabilities, and downloading the right software to read the barcodes, and speed of the user's fingers to browse through the latest items havebecome more important. This trend is currently spreading throughout Europe, andis expected by industry experts to make its way from Asia to the US.
M-commerce is a boon to the techsavvy shopping aficionados. When phones with preinstalled code readers areintroduced in the market, this system of shopping will become more prevalent inthe near future. This technology offers more potential as it will be anuntapped market for the retailers. It brings not only the shopping experience,but also videos, and magazine contents; all in the palms of the consumers hand.
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