Link - Here is a study that gives a great break down of mobile purchasing/research behavior from the Center for Media Research. Noteworthy is the amount of users who abandon the purchase becasue the site fails, or it is to difficult to purchase via mobile.
Link - Another study breaking down the use of a mobile/smartphone for shopping.
PDF from 2009, but the numbers are solid. Shows that even though a purchase may not be made via a mobile device, but ti most certainly would assist in finding the store, getting reviews, and overall decision making help.
Consumers worldwide bought 1.5 million items from eBay
The 18 to 29 years old age group is
expected to drive a significant
portion of mobile use this holiday
season, with 37 percent planning to
use their mobile phones during the
shopping process. This group also
ranks mobile/smartphones No.1 on the
list of products or technologies that
had the most significant impact on
their lives (60 percent).
Among all survey respondents, nearly
one out of five (17 percent) plan to
use their mobile phones during the
holiday shopping process, and among
these consumers, more than half (56
percent) plan to use their phones to
compare prices or find store locations
(54 percent). Additionally, nearly
half (46 percent) plan to look for
product information, while about four
out of 10 will use their phones to
shop (42 percent) or read reviews (39
percent).
Ok so that was a lot of information. I hope that helps you make a decision.
It would seem that the trend is growing towards purchasing via mobile. I will personally say that I have both purchased from my phone and researched while in a store by my phone. Although the research that i did was to merely get information the sales person did not have available, and the purchase was still made.
So, while they may be information seeking, that information may still lead them to a purchase.
