Mobile payment for goods and services continues global growth

Hamburg-based secondary market research company yStats.com has released a new report titled “Global Mobile Payment Methods 2013”. The report indicates that the practice of using mobile devices such as smartphones and tablets in online as well as traditional retail commerce continues to see growing acceptance around the world.

The report indicates that consumers globally are showing interest in mobile payments: less than a quarter of mobile Internet users surveyed in 2013 used mobile payments, but almost a third of those not using mobile payments planned to do so next year, with both shares being higher in emerging markets than in mature economies. Mobile payments are forecasted to reach over EUR 150 billion worldwide in 2013, with a strong double-digit growth forecasted for the next four years. Growth of non-banking mobile payments is projected to be stronger than banking payments, but the latter is will continue to dominate through 2014. Forecasts for NFC payments have been decreased due to slower than expected adoption. Growth rates, however, are expected to take off after 2016.

Acceptance of mobile payment varies by region

In North America, mobile payment transactions are expected to reach almost EUR 30 billion in value in 2013, up by more than +50% from the previous year. However, mobile payments at point of sale in the USA grew less rapidly than expected. As a result, forecasts for mobile proximity payment were lowered, though triple-digit growth is still expected. In Canada, mobile banking was gaining in popularity, reaching a third of smartphone users.

In Latin America, mobile payment also has a great potential to develop in the region, driven by growing smartphone penetration. In Argentina, over 10% of Internet users used mobile banking and under 10% used mobile wallet. Of those who are interested in mobile wallets, the majority would prefer a bank as the mobile payment provider. In Peru, mobile payment is regarded as a tool for financial inclusion, as mobile phone penetration is much higher than banking coverage. Mobile payments also have a high potential in Colombia, as a small double-digit share of Internet users used mobile banking or mobile wallets last year. Meanwhile, the share of consumers in Mexico who would prefer to pay with mobile methods over traditional wallet if given a choice is among the highest worldwide.

Mobile banking is gaining in popularity throughout Europe. The highest mobile banking penetration in Europe is in Turkey, Spain and the Netherlands.

In Central Europe, awareness of mobile payment methods was relatively high in 2012, reaching over two-thirds of mobile Internet users in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. The usage rates, however, were much lower, reaching a small two-digit percentage share. Slightly above 10% of German consumers used mobile payments in parking or ticketing terminals and POS at least once in 2012.

Mobile payments are expected to increase in use in the UK, as the UK Payment Council plans to launch a secure mobile payment service in spring 2014. Around two thirds of consumers in the UK are aware of mobile payment and slightly above 10% used it at least once. The potential of mobile payment in France is indicated in that several millions of NFC capable mobile devices are in use and over 100,000 retail stores had NFC terminals by September 2013. The value of mobile payment transactions in Italy including remote payments and M-Commerce got close to EUR 1 billion last year. In Spain, several players launched mobile payment solutions, including NFC payments at POS.

Mobile payment increased in Eastern Europe also. In Russia close to a third of surveyed consumers said they would prefer to pay with mobile phones or tablets rather than traditional wallet if given a choice. In Poland, 6 major banks cooperated in July 2013 to create a mobile POS payment system. The number of mobile banking users in Turkey doubled between 2012 and 2013.

Mobile payment methods won increased awareness of consumers in Asia-Pacific by the end of 2012, with over two-thirds of those acquainted with the methods willing to use digital wallets and SMS payments in 2013. The value of mobile payment transactions In the Asia-Pacific region is forecasted to grow at CAGR of over +30% between 2013 and 2016. In China close to a third of mobile device holders used mobile payments in 2013. Local operator Alipay dominated the third party mobile payment market. The mobile payments market in Taiwan is forecasted to grow annually by a double-digit rate between 2013 and 2017. In Japan, mobile payments market was dominated by payment providers operated by large retailers, banks and mobile operators.

In Africa, mobile payment market growth outpaces the spread of banking services, with mobile payment users outnumbering the bank accounts holders in 2012, and more mobile payment outlets being present than bank outlets. In Uganda and Kenya mobile payment was the dominant payment method in B2C E-Commerce.

About yStats.com
yStats.com has been committed to research up-to-date, objective and demand-based data on markets and competitors for top managers from various industries since 2005. Headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, the firm has a strong international focus and is specialized in secondary market research. In addition to offering reports on markets and competitors, yStats.com also carries out client-specific research. Clients include leading global enterprises from various industries including B2C E-Commerce, electronic payment systems, mail order and direct marketing, logistics, as well as banking and consulting.

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This release was published on openPR.