If the latest retail figures from the US are anything to go by, tablets are now driving more sales than smartphones.

Black Friday

This year US consumers spent US$3 billion shopping online over the Thanksgiving and Black Friday holidays, with a quarter of these sales coming from smartphones and tablets.

This is an increase of 118 per cent since 2012.

Tablet turning point

What's interesting here is that according to research from IBM, users were more like to browse retail sites with their smartphones, but make purchases from their tablets. 

The research found that while 24 per cent of smartphone owners browsed retail sites, only 7.5 per cent purchased from their phone.

Conversely, 12.8 per cent of tablet owners browse online, with 13.5 per cent making a purchase from their tablet.

Apple adds up

It also turns out Apple users are more likely to part with their cash than their Android counterparts.

iPhone users accounted for US$126 million in sales and iPads US$417 million. Android tablet users chalked up US$42 million. 

The takeaway for local retailers? Make sure your website is mobile optimised ahead of the holidays.

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