It’s interesting to see that since our last post, John Lewis is predicting that 2013 will be the first “mobile Christmas”, when sales on smartphones and tablets are expected to overtake sales on desktops on Christmas Day.

It’s interesting to see that since our last post, John Lewis is predicting that 2013 will be the first “mobile Christmas”, when sales on smartphones and tablets are expected to overtake sales on desktops on Christmas Day, providing another major milestone for mobile payments.

At PayPal we’ve predicted that by 2016 consumers won’t need their wallets to shop on the high street and will use their mobile devices instead of cash and plastic. In fact, the transition to a wallet-less high street is already in motion. JD Sports, Warehouse and Oasis are just some of the well-known businesses that already provide shoppers with mobile payment options in-store as well as online.

However, mobile shopping on the high street is not just about retailers bringing new technology in-store for the sake of it. Shoppers won’t change the way they pay unless they are offered something better. It’s about giving the connected consumer the level of convenience and security in shops that they get on their laptop or tablet to ultimately make it easier for them to pay.

That’s why we believe the future of mobile payments in retail is the digital wallet. Unlike NFC technology, it does not require retailers to replace existing POS systems or for customers to have a certain type of smartphone to make a payment. The technology enables people to pay on whatever device they choose and from any location – at home, on the go, or in-store.

So, as we move closer to a wallet-less future, the question for retailers isn’t “will” mobile start driving transactions in-store but “when”.

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