Tech-Savvy Tips from mPoria to Help Consumers Handle a Busy Holiday Season

The holidays are probably the busiest — and most frustrating — time of year for consumers. Fighting crowds of aggressive bargain hunters and impatient sales people while navigating aisles of picked-over merchandise can dampen the spirit of even the most jovial, season-loving shopper.

A bit of "virtual" sensibility can do wonders to alleviate the season's frenzy, while helping consumers save both time and money. Dan Wright, CEO of mobile commerce technology provider mPoria Inc., offers some valuable tips to get consumers off to a good start:

1. Get online. Technology has been marvelous in paving the way for shoppers to circumvent crowded malls and busy department stores. This year over 75% of U.S. consumers are expected to save time, money and hassle by shopping online. Leave the crowds and frustration behind by getting online.

2. Go Mobile! Going online doesn't mean just getting on your computer. Mobile technology has made great advances, introducing 236 million U.S. wireless consumers to the wonders of the Mobile Web. This year consumers are expected to spend more than $480 million in mobile stores. Grab your cellphone to conveniently accomplish everything from product research and price comparing to purchasing. This is the ultra-modern, anytime, anywhere way to shop this season!

3. Be a Scrooge. Given the tough economy Americans faced in 2007, holiday sales are expected to grow at the slowest pace in over five years. This means retailers will offer promotions, lower prices, and pre-Thanksgiving sales blitzes to compete for consumer dollars. Take advantage of this savings opportunity. Hunt for deals, free online shipping and gift-wrapping, deferred payment promotions, and web coupons. And remember to sign-up for promotional update emails.

4. Give Gift Cards. Unsure what to buy the person on your list who has everything? Many e- and m-commerce retailers offer gift cards that can be personalized, printed and gifted via email or SMS. Make it extra simple and go for the gift card!

5. Bookmark and get started now! With less than 90 days left this holiday shopping season, you need to move now. Prepare your list and budget, create mobile and online address books and highlight your favorite online and mobile shopping sites to simplify and expedite the shopping process.

About mPoria, Inc.

mPoria is the leading North American provider of m-commerce solutions. The company builds and markets m-commerce stores for retailers, enabling them to sell merchandise over the mobile web.