32 Pct Indians Use Smartphones for Shopping

Bangalore: Around 32 percent of smartphone users in India are likely to make their purchases using the device, says a recent study. The study revealed that 32 percent chose their smartphones for shopping, while 23 percent chose their laptops or desktops as the next choice.

"It goes on to show how connected the mobile device is and plays a significant role in a purchase decision," Havas Media Asia Pacific chief executive Vishnu Mohan said quoting a study 'Role of the connected device in the branding and buying cycle of a consumer'.

The report further said that 15.7 percent of smartphone buyers and 16 percent of tablet buyers prefer not to visit a physical store for purchasing them.

The survey was done by leading communication agency Havas Media's mobile marketing network Mobext India, which sampled over 2,800 respondents in the country.

The report finds that almost 80 percent of respondents held smartphone as their primary device, while 13 percent consider the laptop or desktop and 7 percent prefer the tablet.

"As consumers are increasingly spending more time on their mobile devices and use them for different purposes, brands have more opportunities to interact meaningfully with their customers," said Havas Media India & South Asia chief executive Anita Nayyar. From a media perspective, the report finds that an average connected Indian consumes 9 hrs of media, with smartphones constituting nearly 44 percent of it.

The study said "It has been found that mobile device purchase cannibalises other media consumption habits, as 21 percent of smartphone users prefer not to read a printed book. While 22 percent prefer to watch less TV, 16 percent reduce time on the internet via a laptop and 30 percent of tablet users read fewer printed books."

(With PTI inputs)