13.01.12. eBay Predict $8 Billion Turnover in Mobile Commerce for 2012
EBay CEO John Donahoe recently announced that they expect eBay Mobile transactions to top $8 billion in 2012. These bold predictions are based upon eBay’s huge successes, brought about chiefly through their mobile application which saw over $5 billion delivered by the platform in 2011.
The growth in mobile has clearly taken even eBay aback with them effectively ripping up all predictions of growth in the first two quarters of their financial year. This is obviously great news for eBay who will now be relishing their move into Mobile through a significant aquisition strategy.
eBay has long flirted with mobile; most significantly through their purchase of Red Laser. The application was merged into their own offering; allowing users to scan barcodes on everyday objects and seeing what prices they are available for online. Although the idea behind the technology might be to scan everyday desirable objects, we’re sure that eBay will be turning a blind eye to those users wandering shops, armed with an iPhone and scanning everything in sight. (In fact I saved over £400 on a fridge freezer from a major electrical store).
Perhaps one of the most stunning statistics of all is the acquisition of PayPal’s regular mobile customers. PayPal now boasts over 17 million regular mobile shoppers, a figure up from 8 million only 6 months previous. Surely, this offers the most positive indication yet that mobile shopping is now well established and here to stay.
One thing is for sure; it will be interesting to see what new technologies eBay bolts into its mobile offering in the coming year. Surely, photo recognition of products can’t be far around the corner for the Auction Giant.
