40% of smartphone users have redeemed a coupon via mobile

A new survey from CouponCabin.com reveals that mobile coupons are fast becoming popular with bargain-hunting consumers. Today, four out of ten smartphone users have redeemed a coupon on their mobile device.

by Helen Leggatt

Today's mobile-wielding consumers are swapping paper coupons for mobile versions. Forty percent of smartphone users have redeemed a coupon on their device and nearly a third (29%) use their mobile to search for coupons at least once a month, rising to 40% among younger users.

The CouponCabin.com survey, conducted by Harris Interactive in March this year, also revealed that almost three-quarters (72%) of smartphone users are at least "somewhat likely" to use mobile apps that provide savings; whether it be a coupon app, a daily deal app, or online code discounts.

Of those who had used coupons on their smartphones the types of coupons used were:

Daily deals - 41%
Grocery coupons - 39%
Online coupon codes - 34%
Printable coupons - 29%
Freebies such as free samples or coupons toward free trial of items - 24%
Other non-grocery coupons - 23%

Even though there are many mobile coupons out there, the majority are still in paper form. A new iPhone app, SnipSnap, builds a bridge between the old and new with an app that scans printed coupons and formats all the text, images and barcodes into a mobile optimized offer which can be redeemed from the screen at a checkout.

Tags: coupon research, mobile app, mobile coupon, mobile marketing, mobile shopping, retail, smartphone