Retailers Fight Back Against Smartphone-Armed Shoppers

As hordes of Black Friday shoppers descend on stores in search of deals, many of them are armed with something that has retailers shaking in their boots: smartphones.

AOL’s Daily Finance news site reports that about 40 percent of shoppers with smart phones will use them to get a better deal online.

It’s part of a trend called showrooming that really took off last year.

Now retailers are fighting back by matching prices and offering free shipping on out-of-stock items.

But with sales from mobile devices expected to double this year, retailers may be fighting a losing battle.

• VIDEO: “Don’t be an iPhoney” by Harvard Bookstore

Guests:

• Kelli Grant, senior consumer reporter for SmartMoney.com. She tweets @kellibgrant.
• Rachel Cass, marketing manager for the Harvard Bookstore. The staff tweets @HarvardBooks.