A new survey shows mobile device users are increasingly open to receiving locally-based coupons, but many are still getting comfortable in how they receive them.
The survey of smartphone and tablet users from Prosper Mobile Insights found that 81.9 percent were open to receiving coupons on their mobile device in one form or another. Sixty-seven percent also "somewhat" or "strongly" agreed that location-based coupons are very convenient and useful.
But the survey also found that only one in four (25.6 percent) prefer to receive coupons on a smartphone or tablet automatically when they are near a store. Also, only 10.1 percent preferred receiving discounts on the spot when "checking in."
The top way mobile users want to receive coupons on their mobile device is via email, noted by 51.1 percent. That was followed by "manually search for them," 32.2 percent; "scan a QR code when inside a store," 31.9 percent; and "receive via text or instant message," 31.0 percent.
Security also remains a concern for many with 44.8 percent "somewhat" or "very" concerned about their location being tracked or other security issues. Another 29.6 percent were neutral while 25.6 percent were not concerned.
Still, the survey showed that the majority of mobile users are engaging in shopping behaviors on their smartphones or tablets:
- 76.4 percent browse or look for a product or service on their smartphone or tablet
- 75.0 percent use their device to locate a store or store hours
- 48.9 percent research specific products
- 45.7 percent read customer reviews
- 42.2 percent have used their smartphone or tablet as a coupon (scanning a bar code, showing a text to a cashier, etc.)
- 39.7 percent have made a purchase directly on a mobile device
- 36.2 percent have scanned a QR code
The 348 smartphone and tablet users were interviewed on their mobile devices from September 22 to 24.