There's been a lot written about online and mobile since we last met. I thought I'd give a quick run-down on what we read about the US holiday shopping period (Thanksgiving - Xmas). Whilst there are lots of percentages and few hard numbers the trends are strong.

1. Smartphones drove online traffic (21%) v tablets (13%) = 34% total online traffic. 

2. Tablets drove sales 12% v 5% = total 17% sales

3. Tablet users spent $118 per order v smartphone $105 per order.
(IBM Digital Analytics Benchmark via Chuck Martin, MediaPost MobileShopTalk).

4. iOS sales 23% v Android 5%; 

5. iOS users $94 per order v iOS $48 per order (earlier superseded report but figures are indicative of trend).

6. Online sales were up only 10% overall, short of the 14% expected (comScore Report via Mark Walsh, MediaPost Online Media Daily).

As to why consumers don't purchase by mobile phone, Marketing Land (via Chuck Martin MediaPost MobileShopTalk) found the following:

35% -- Don't buy by phone; checking out and paying too difficult

22% -- Research by phone, but buy later on a PC

14% -- Research and buy things by phone

13% -- Have security concerns about credit card transactions

11% -- Buy things on mobile phone only when no other options

4% -- Do research by phone but buy later on a tablet

In a nutshell, online consumers are becoming increasingly comfortable with buying other than on PC. The more engaging and seamless you make the process the more likely they will shop this way with you.