Mobile is king: the industries where smartphones rule the roost

The last 12 months have seen us become heavily reliant on technology in our day-to-day lives, particularly when it comes to shopping and the retail sector.

There are a number of industries that have adapted really, but it may be difficult to see a way back for the high street. So, in which industries is mobile really king? 

As the UK welcomes people back into stores and centres across the country, we take a look at the industries and sectors where many may simply stick to their smartphones.

Gaming

Leisure facilities such as casinos, bingo halls, and amusement arcades located in most towns and cities haven’t been given the green light to open yet, but they could face a struggle when they do as the mobile gaming sector has boomed over the last 12 months.

Bingo sites have in particularly enjoyed a raft of new players, and when playing bingo on the go, there’s no better way than a smartphone.

It’s an industry worth billions, and one that allows brands to be more inventive with their gaming than a bricks and mortar venue can, which certainly implies it will be long live mobile bingo and casino, and a tricky few years for physical venues. 

Food and drink

While many of us will be keen to enjoy fine dining and restaurants again, the use of smartphones is only enhancing the customer experience. And in several areas too.

Many restaurants will have seen the value of takeaway services over the past 12 months, and many will continue that on top of their dining in options.

What’s more, they will also be making the most of technology, developing their own apps and pages so you can download or scan a QR code and pull up the menu, and even order food.

It’s a move that will make dining more efficient and more environmentally friendly over the next few years, with paper menus a thing of the past. And all thanks to the smartphone.

Furniture

A few years ago, you wouldn’t have dreamed of ordering a sofa or set of drawers without physically seeing them.

But such is the rise and rise of technology, you can not only order a sofa from your mobile device, but also see how it fits into your space using augmented reality.

Brands such as Ikea now have features within their apps that allow you to use the camera on your smartphone to place furniture into the space and see how it looks and fits.

While that may not lead to an initial purchase, it will encourage more customers through retailers’ doors to see the furniture for real and make the purchase, as they already know it fits and suits the room.

Ikea aren’t the only brand doing it, and the use of augmented reality is also becoming ever important in the likes of fashion, with virtual fitting rooms becoming more and more common.