Canadians Embrace Commuter Commerce

A new retail trend is emerging in Canada: commuter commerce, where people shop from their mobile devices during transit.

This is according to a recent study from PayPal Canada and Ipsos, which found that 14 percent of mobile connected commuters shop while on public transport, and 76 percent will consider mobile shopping if options were readily available.

Connected commuters spend an average of $529 a month per person buying a wide range of products including tickets, clothing, shoes, accessories, gifts, food, groceries, games, gadgets, furniture and home décor, the study said.

This new shopping behavior is expected to grow over the year-end holiday season and beyond, thanks to more Wi-Fi options on public transport and 4G LTE cellphone connectivity.

The future of commuter commerce looks bright, with 71 percent of mobile connected commuters saying they would like to browse their favorite stores on their phones during commute.

When asked about what prevents them from shopping while in transit, about 45 percent of study participants cite poor or limited cellphone reception and the lack of Wi-Fi on public transport. Four out of 10 connected commuters also worry about security or sharing their card details.

Kerry Reynolds, Head of Consumer Marketing, PayPal Canada, commented, “While using public transport, people are constantly peering at their phones. This presents a unique opportunity for Canadian retailers to target and engage commuters with flash sales, coupons or mobile advertisements during rush hours.”