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In today’s connected world, complex technologies are creating richer consumer experiences, but are also creating greater expectations. With the explosion of connected and mobile devices in recent years, consumers now have better control of their interactions with the companies whom they choose to do business with than ever before. This is good news for the consumer electronics industry as it represents an excellent opportunity to engage with customers on a more regular basis.

ARMONK, N.Y. — IBM's fifth annual Online Retail Holiday Readiness report has uncovered that 2012 may just be the year of mobile.

Based on data from more than 500 U.S. retailers, the report found that online mobile sales increased 88.8% in second quarter 2012, compared with year-ago period.

What's more, IBM is forecasting that mobile sales will reach 20% of total online holiday sales this holiday season, and that mobile traffic will close in on 25%.

BELLEVUE, Wash. and GOODLETTSVILLE, Tenn. — Dollar General is offering customers a broader variety of prepaid mobile services through a new agreement with T-Mobile. Beginning in July, more than 6,400 Dollar General stores will offer numerous T-Mobile prepaid plan options and the Samsung t139 phone, which features messaging, web browsing, a camera and Bluetooth connectivity.

BARCELONA, Spain — eBay Monday announced a number of strategic moves including a new partnership with major carrier Three.co.uk; integrations with merchants such as Yotel and Entradas.com; and mobile app updates that evolve mobile commerce selling and shopping experiences for consumers.

COVENTRY, U.K. — Bass Pro Shops is enaging the services of PCMS for a pilot of mobile sales devices.

In a move to reduce customer wait time, Bass Pro will launch the system in two phases.The first phase, which starts this month, will incorporate iPod Touch technology in pilot stores to enable customers’ purchases to be scanned while waiting in line. The transaction is then suspended until the customer reaches the register to conclude payment. Stage two will enable payments to be taken via the iPod Touch, reducing transaction times even further. 

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. — A regional supermarket chain is looking to enhance its customers' shopping experience with the introduction of a new mobile application.

Big Y said that its mobile app — powered by mobile commerce platform provider AisleBuyer's mShop, which allows shoppers to scan barcodes to view and compare product and nutrition information, access customer reviews and receive personalized coupons and offers — is designed to deliver enhanced customer service and engagement.

CHICAGO — The third annual Mobile Audit, released Thursday by e-commerce and digital marketing company Acquity Group, found that mobile adoption is on the rise. In fact, the percentage of retailers with a mobile site reached 37% in 2011, up from 12% in 2010 and only 4% in 2009 — a 210% increase over the past year alone.

Chicago -- Fifty percent of Americans use a mobile device to navigate their shopping journey, according to a new study released by Arc Worldwide, Leo Burnett’s marketing services arm.

The study -- “Marketing to the Mobile Shopper” -- found that mobile shopping has become a way of life for Americans. This trend is changing the traditional shopping journey and leaving companies with a serious ultimatum: deliver valuable mobile experiences or risk losing customers.

By Jeff Weidauer

Retailers must frequently discern between trends and fads in their daily business decisions. Trends are long-term changes in behavior, where fads are short-lived and fleeting in their impact. Both require an investment of time and money to make the most of, but how much of each depends on the likely return.