Consumer Electronics

Shopping Drove Mobile App Usage in 2014

Online shopping
Thinkstock
The overall growth rate in 2014 for mobile app usage was 76%, a startlingly large number on its own. But the really big growth came in the use of shopping and lifestyle apps — up 174% compared with 2013. The second largest gain came in the utilities and productivity category, where year-over-year usage rose 121%.

The short version of the story is that accomplishing something, whether it be buying an item or doing work, has risen to the top of mobile app usage growth, far outdistancing the entertainment and games apps that previously led in consumer usage.

Flurry Analytics, a division of Yahoo! Inc. (NASDAQ: YHOO), collected and reported the data, and they include user sessions on Apple Inc. (NASDAQ: AAPL) devices and devices using the Android operating system from Google Inc. (NASDAQ: GOOG). Flurry noted that on Apple’s iOS the lifestyle app category includes more than shopping, and that on Android devices alone, shopping app usage increased by a whopping 220%.

The other app category to post at least a doubling of growth was messaging, with a growth rate of 103% in 2014, slightly below its 115% growth rate in 2013. Music, media and entertainment apps grew at a rate of just 33% and game apps grew at a rate of 30% in 2014.

Flurry also produced an interesting chart of time spent in shopping apps among U.S. consumers using Android devices. The chart below illustrates peak shopping app usage when a user is at home or away from home. Flurry observed:

We shop on our phones when we are out and about during the day, with Shopping app use spiking during the commute time of 9 a.m. and lunchtime at noon. We’re focused on things other than shopping in the afternoon hours (perhaps working to support that shopping habit), but mobile shopping spikes again during prime time at 8 p.m., at home.

ShoppingDistribution-Flurry
Flurry Analytics/Yahoo! Inc.

ALSO READ: Apple Wins Race for Global Holiday Sales

100 Million Americans Are Missing This Crucial Retirement Tool

The thought of burdening your family with a financial disaster is most Americans’ nightmare. However, recent studies show that over 100 million Americans still don’t have proper life insurance in the event they pass away.

Life insurance can bring peace of mind – ensuring your loved ones are safeguarded against unforeseen expenses and debts. With premiums often lower than expected and a variety of plans tailored to different life stages and health conditions, securing a policy is more accessible than ever.

A quick, no-obligation quote can provide valuable insight into what’s available and what might best suit your family’s needs. Life insurance is a simple step you can take today to help secure peace of mind for your loved ones tomorrow.

Click here to learn how to get a quote in just a few minutes.

Thank you for reading! Have some feedback for us?
Contact the 24/7 Wall St. editorial team.