Building and maintaining a mobile retail site can be a challenge — but it’s one that only the most foolhardy retailers would ignore, as consumers increasingly use handheld devices to complement the shopping experience and make purchases.


Indeed, consumers are buying a range of items — from movie tickets to apparel to motorcycle tires — via mobile devices. According to a recent study by mobile advertising firm JiWire, half of mobile owners said they would feel comfortable spending $100 or more on a purchase made on a smartphone.