Research reveals increasing interest in opt-in retail SMS

The number of people that opt-in to receive retail messaging is growing significantly, according to recent research from UK mobile messaging solutions provider Textlocal.

by Helen Leggatt

Textlocal's survey of 2,000 consumers in the UK reveals that SMS is a mobile user's primary activity. The 'Mobile Customer Experience' report found SMS/text messaging above email, apps, social, gaming, music, web, and even voice calls in mobile usage priorities.

The total number of people opting in to retail messaging on mobile devices is expected to reach 7.18 million by the end of 2015, growth of 38%. While women are more likely to opt-in to retail messaging, men are more open to receiving regular messages than women.

"Consumers want to feel in control, not spammed in their personal space, so it's up to retailers to make sure they truly understand how best to reach their followers with a view to turning them into regular shoppers," said Darren Daws, managing director of Textlocal.

Textlocal's research also involved businesses. It found that 40% use mobile as part of marketing strategy, even though 65% said they own an opted-in mobile database.

Rob Townsend, Textlocal's marketing director, believes many businesses have yet to fully understand the opportunities mobile presents.

"Given the central role mobile plays in our lives, it's likely consumers would expect brands to communicate with them via this medium - and our research bears this out," Townsend told Mobile Marketing Magazine. :"If you're already running a CRM programme via email and offline, why wouldn't you add mobile to the mix?"

Image via Shutterstock

Tags: consumer preferences, CRM, marketing strategy, mobile messaging, retail, SMS trends