Online Consumers With Web-enabled Phones Adopt the Mobile Internet

PriceGrabber.com(R), a part of Experian, explores the latest trends in mobile Internet shopping and purchasing behaviors in its latest Consumer Behavior Report, Mobile Internet Shopping Trends. This report is based on a survey of 3,305 U.S. online consumers with mobile phones, which was conducted from March 10-31, 2009. Survey findings reveal that online consumers have made significant headway in Web-enabled phone adoption and mobile Internet usage.

 

Web-enabled mobile phone penetration is significant

In PriceGrabber.com's March 2009 survey, nearly 58 percent of online consumers currently own a mobile phone capable of connecting to the Web. Of the online consumers with Web-enabled phones, 21 percent own a smartphone, 8 percent own an iPhone(TM), and 29 percent own another type of Web-enabled phone. Forty-two percent of survey respondents said they own a non-Web-enabled phone capable of using voice and text service plans only.

Smartphone purchases have increased since 2006

Web-enabled phones have become increasingly mainstream, and much of this popularity can be attributed to the release of the iPhone. The iPhone, released on June 29, 2007, jump-started mainstream smartphone adoption, with 75 percent more online consumers purchasing their first Web-enabled phone in 2007 compared with 2006. Despite the economic climate, 8 percent of online consumers purchased their first Web-enabled phone in the first quarter of 2009.

Online shoppers are beginning to shop from their phones

The increased popularity of Web-enabled phones in the United States has helped online shoppers become mobile Internet shoppers. One in 10 online consumers said they purchase online from their mobile device, 16 percent compare prices and another 16 percent research product details/specifications. Of the online consumers making purchases from their mobile phones, 58 percent have purchased digital content for their phone, 51 percent have purchased consumer electronics, 37 percent have purchased computers, 36 percent have purchased books, and 31 percent have purchased clothing.

Smartphone and iPhone owners are comfortable using the mobile Internet to make purchases. Fifty-six percent of Apple iPhone owners and 28 percent of smartphone owners already are comparing prices online with their mobile phones. Additionally, 27 percent of iPhone owners and 35 percent of smartphone owners anticipate that they will be comparing prices within two years.

PriceGrabber.com will continue to track mobile Internet shopping trends and shifts in consumer behavior in the coming months. To view the full Consumer Behavior Report, please visit: https://mr.pricegrabber.com/Mobile_Internet_Shopping_Trends_April_2009_CBR_2.p [1] df

About PriceGrabber.com

PriceGrabber.com, part of Experian Interactive(SM), has established itself as one of the most trusted and effective online comparison shopping services, allowing approximately 26 million consumers each month to search and compare information that enables them to find the right product from the right retailer at the best price. Through continued innovation and a consistent focus on providing the best comparison shopping experience on the Internet, PriceGrabber.com provides savvy shoppers access to millions of unique products and services from thousands of retailers and sellers in 25 product channels. The company also powers comparison shopping functionality for a network of leading Internet sites, including MSN Shopping, AOL Shopping, About.com, iVillage, Comcast and CNET. The company offers comparison shopping in English (at http://www.pricegrabber.com/ [2]), Spanish (at http://www.preciomania.com/ [3]) and Portuguese (at http://www.precomania.com/ [4]) as well as international sites in Canada and the United Kingdom.

PriceGrabber.com is headquartered in Los Angeles, Calif. PriceGrabber is a registered trademark, and PriceGrabber.com and BottomLinePrice(TM) are trademarks of PriceGrabber.com, Inc., a Delaware corporation. Other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

About Experian

Experian(R) is a global leader in providing information, analytical and marketing services to organizations and consumers to help manage the risk and reward of commercial and financial decisions.

Combining its unique information tools and deep understanding of individuals, markets and economies, Experian partners with organizations around the world to establish and strengthen customer relationships and provide their businesses with competitive advantage.

For consumers, Experian delivers critical information that enables them to make financial and purchasing decisions with greater control and confidence. Clients include organizations from financial services, retail and catalog, telecommunications, utilities, media, insurance, automotive, leisure, e-commerce, manufacturing, property and government sectors.

Experian plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (EXPN) and is a constituent of the FTSE 100 index. Experian has corporate headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, and has operational headquarters in Costa Mesa, Calif., and Nottingham, UK. The Group employs approximately 15,500 people in 38 countries worldwide, supporting clients in more than 65 countries around the world. Revenue for the year ended March 31, 2008, was $4 billion.

For more information, visit http://www.experianplc.com/ [5].

Experian and the marks used herein are service marks or registered trademarks of Experian Information Solutions, Inc.

Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.