This trend also falls in line with the rise of mobile phone ownership. According to the same study, in 2010 38% of consumers owned a smartphone. In 2013 the figure is now 62%.

Within this study, it’s the entertainment industry that has suffered the most: In 2010, 60% of mobile users bought goods in the high street. In 2013 that figure has fallen to 35%.  

Although this figure possibly has more to do with the current state of the high street, with less entertainment stores existing in the offline world now, than three years ago. 

Does this study explicitly blame mobile phone use for this decline? I think that’s implied by the stats on offer, although they do mention the detrimental effect of general online and desktop ecommerce.

This study also concentrates solely on mobile phone users, and as we read earlier, smartphone penetration is 62%. Surely these smartphone users are likely to be more technologically savvy than the 38% non-smartphone using counterparts, and are therefore more likely to source cheaper online alternatives?

There’s also the huge impact of the recession to consider. With some town centres just simply having less stores open on the high street and therefore presenting a less attractive and competitive place to shop, this drives sales towards ecommerce.

What is immediately clear though, and something that we have been trumpeting for some time now, is how existing retail stores must adapt to mobile usage, and link their physical retail stores to their online presence 

How can retail stores combat this trend?

Here’s a selection of 10 inspiring ways retails have already adapted to mobile, including the B&Q loyalty app that effectively addresses the threat of showrooming.

This is a guide on how web technology can help to save the high street, detailing a vision of the digital high street.

Then finally (‘finally’ only because I don’t wish to overload you with links here, there’s still plenty more if you want it) here’s our downloadable report on How the Internet Can Save the High Street.