The Growth of Mobile Commerce Trends in Indonesia is High, but Not That Drastic

In mid-February, Bandung Institute of Technology (ITB) e-commerce observer Kun Arief Cahyantoro estimated the increase in online purchases via mobile devices would reach 172,8% in 2017. However, a report from MasterCard recently said otherwise. The increase from 2014 to 2015 was only about 0,6%. Making the 172,8% figure in 2017 a little less real.

"The increase is expected to reach 172,8 percent," said Kun, quoted from the news Time. It is written that this figure is projected based on mobile online purchases in 2015 which increased 155% compared to the previous year. Kun assumes that in 2017 the increase will reach 172.8%.

The increasing trend of online shopping on mobile may be true. This is reflected in the presence of new players who have accompanied the Indonesian e-commerce industry directly or indirectly (marketplace or payment gateways/fintech). just today, mobile marketplace and social commerceCoral introduced to compete with its competitors such as Shopee, Carousell, and Lyke. Dimo Pay was also launched as a mobile payment solution for the community.

This fact is quite reinforced by the latest MasterCard report in the title Mobile Shopping Surveys. It's just that the numbers that appear do not support significant growth. The results of the report were taken from 8.500 respondents aged between 18-64 years spread across 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region from October to December 2015. In 2015, 55,5% of respondents said they made online purchases through their smartphones. Meanwhile in 2014, this figure is not significantly adrift, namely 54,9%. This indicates a growth of only 0,6%.

Another finding from the Mobile Shopping Survey report has also opened up consumer behavior in Asia Pacific starting to adopt digital wallets. A total of 19.5% admitted to using the technology, an increase of almost 10% compared to the previous two years (9,7%). Interestingly, the Indonesian market actually decreased by 4,5% from 2014 (15,6%) to 2015 (11,1%).

The certainty of the growth of the mobile commerce trend is in sight. The old song about reaching consumers in rural areas to get financial access is slowly being realized by telecommunication operators and fintech startups. If only banks and OJK [through the regulations] is able to provide a more tangible solution, of course the figure of 172.8% sounds more reasonable.