Survey: Smartphone users won’t wait in line

According to their “Mobile Shopping Survey Series, Part 1: Mobile Self-Service” about 40% of smartphone users are abandoning real-world carts at the checkout counters of stores because of long lines. Another 21% will abandon a cart if no registers are open.

“Having to waiting in line at a store has a significant effect on a retailer’s bottom line. Nearly half of shoppers said if a line is too long they will either leave the store without purchasing anything or only buy the few items they came for, without shopping the rest of the store,” said Andrew Paradise, AisleBuyer CEO. “Giving these shoppers another way to pay – without having to wait in line – will increase the likelihood that they will ultimately purchase something in the store, rather than abandon the purchase due to frustration. The survey results clearly show that shoppers are interested in this alternative checkout experience–something savvy retailers are investing in as we speak.”

The survey was conducted in February; researchers asked 1000 smartphone using, in-store shoppers their questions. Other interesting findings include:

• 64% are interested in barcode scanning to get pricing, reviews and information
• 36% have scanned barcodes at least once
• 60% say they’ll use mobiles to pay for items as long as they don’t have to wait in line

Not surprisingly over half say they hate waiting in line at grocery stores (52%) and other mass merchants (51%).