Mobile broadband used to research high street bargains

A survey conducted by BT and carried out among early adopters of the internet-capable Broadband Anywhere BT ToGo smartphone has found that consumers are relying more and more on broadband-enabled devices to help research bargains when they're out shopping. In the last three months it was found that 45 per cent of all high street consumers have browsed for goods or services whilst away from their home computer. One in three checked prices of goods or searched for a review of a product or service using mobile broadband and based their purchasing decision on their online research. BT also found that one in five consumers had made an actual purchase whilst on the move in the past three month.

Speaking on the new findings, BT Futurologist, Ian Neil said: "Broadband on the move is bringing about a change in consumer behaviour. Consumers can now do the things they would normally do at home when they are out and about. The ease with which they can go online to sites like Pricerunner or TripAdvisor to inform their buying decisions puts added pressure on high-street retailers to offer the best prices and the product ranges that people want." He added: "Retailers should take advantage of the fact that customers may now have access to the Internet whilst in-store and, for example, use their wifi connections to deliver expert advice via a store intranet channel."