Consumers in the UK are set to spend almost GBP8bn on their smartphones and tablets in 2014, according to a study. The research, commissioned by RetailMeNot, shows that Britain's total spend online on phones and tablets this year will reach GBP7.9bn (EUR9.5bn, $13.2bn) - almost half of what the whole of Europe is forecasted to spend and GBP3bn more than in 2013. Mobile shoppers in Europe are set to spend GBP19.8bn in 2014 on m-commerce, almost twice as much as 2013's spend of GBP10.7bn. Almost half of the population of Europe now has a smartphone, but only 20% have used …

While beacons promise a significant improvement over first attempts at real-world brand engagements via mobile, there is still a long way to go in enabling seamless interactions. Enabling real-world engagements with brands is one of mobile's big promises for marketers but first attempts via tactics such as QR codes lacked clear calls to action or contextual relevancy. More recently, Bluetooth-enabled beacons and image recognition hold out the promise of better user experiences but challenges still remain.

A new report from the British Banker's Association shows that mobile commerce saw a great deal of success in the United Kingdom in 2013. Demand for mobile services has been on the rise among UK consumers for some time. People are beginning to look for ways to pay for products and services using their mobile devices rather than physical currency or credit cards. As people begin to use their mobile devices more in their daily lives, the demand for mobile services is reaching a point where it can no longer be ignored. According to the report from the British Banker's …

The last time you checked your bank balance, where did you do it? If you're like the average consumer, it was most likely on your mobile device. In fact, most people are logging into their bank's mobile app 30 times per month on average to do any number of things including making a deposit, seeing if a charge went through, sending money to friends and family, paying a bill or transferring funds. This level of engagement is staggering, and a big shift from how consumers interacted with their bank accounts just a few years ago. When it comes to shopping, …

Denny's recent application update pivots the brand away from a previous geo-targeted approach with a bigger focus on customization and gaming to drive user engagement and value. The new app builds on the chain's Build Your Own menu theme by enabling customers to personalize their app according to available features and the order in which they appear. Additionally, the app features more interactive features such as the Museum of Diner Art showcase and the game Order Up to keep diners occupied while they wait for their orders.

The massive online and mobile commerce giant, Alibaba, has now announced that it is partnering with a number of different media outlets in order to launch a shopping program based on scanning QR codes. The Chinese e- and m-commerce company is giving readers the chance to scan QR codes when they see products that they like. This will direct them to the relevant page for that item on one of the many Alibaba online shopping websites (for instance, Taobao). At that point, those smartphone users will be able to learn more about the products by reading about the various details …

Big retailers are muscling in on the likes of Visa, MasterCard and Google in a fiercely competitive and growing mobile payment market that promises to cut transaction costs and increase customer loyalty. Stores such as British supermarket Tesco and France's Auchan hope their "digital wallets" - apps which allow users to pay with their smartphones rather than cash or cards - will also give them more comprehensive data about customers' shopping habits than ever before so they can target advertising. They are joining a crowded market - banks, card companies and tech firms like Google and Apple are all entering …

IMRG's latest e-Retail Survey reveals that 11 per cent of senior eCommerce professionals believe that more than half of their online sales will be mobile by year end. Although this figure has grown from 4 per cent in 2013, 19 per cent said they believe that mCommerce, which includes both smartphone and tablets, will represent less than 20 per cent of their online sales. A further 13 per cent said it would make up less than 10 per cent. "The latest survey results also reveal that mobile has a key part to play in the multichannel retail environment, with three-quarters …

A group of independently owned Ace Hardware stores saw an overall redemption rate of 14.45 percent for mobile promotions sent during the third and fourth quarters of 2013. The most popular promotions were high-value offers that all customers would be interested in. FunMobility found that stores with the highest opt-in rates used a variety of strategies to build their customer loyalty lists, including in-store signage and integrated promotions.

Dropbox has become one of America's best financed start-ups by securing $500 million in borrowing. The credit facility was led by JP Morgan Chase & Co. and brings the total amount Dropbox has raised to $1.1 billion. Square is also reportedly pursuing a credit facility and will look to raise about $200 million, though all details have not been finalized, according to The Financial Times. Goldman Sachs led the Square round, along with Morgan Stanley and JP Morgan Chase, among others. "Securing access to low-cost capital always makes financial sense, even for a well-capitalised company like Square," a company spokesperson …