Retail apps are developing faster each year and entirely changing the shopping experience. They are becoming an important personal shopping tool for many consumers worldwide. Retailers are developing apps that appeal to consumers’ shopping needs such as product browsing, rewards points, suggestions, and even transactions. Consumers have new shopping habits and are now relying on their mobile devices to enhance their overall shopping experience.

Why are shoppers increasingly using retail apps? It’s all about the customer experience. A recent study shows that 88% of people use retail apps to assist them with their shopping experience. Consumers want the easiest path to purchase and are choosing to download more retail apps to assist them with their purchasing decisions. These apps are easy to use, personalized to each shopper, and strengthen their brand loyalty.

Ease of Use

Mobile shopping has become accessible to almost all shoppers. Shopping has become readily available at the fingertips of consumers in which they are able to purchase, browse, or recommend products and services wherever they are. Payment methods are already integrated throughout many retail apps, which makes the purchasing process simple for the shopper. With a seamless path to purchase, retail apps help eliminate friction points.

Personalization

Retail apps are becoming much more personalized to target each individual shopper which in turn, enriches their shopping experience. Many companies have been integrating special discounts and loyalty programs into their retail apps, such as Shoppers Drugmart, Starbucks, etc. Personalized retail apps often include push notifications, loyalty programs, and coupon integrations that target the user’s needs.

A study showed that 51% of mobile app-users use retail apps in-store to assist them with their shopping needs. This takes personal shopping to a new level as consumers now have access to more information to come to a purchasing decision. They now want a personalized shopping experience that includes saving money with discounts, checking ratings, and comparing the best products and services to suit their individual lifestyle. The advancements of digital shopping has encouraged an autonomous shopping experience and created more customer engagement.

Retailer-Shopper Relations

Most shoppers want tools that increase convenience and engagement throughout the shopping lifecycle. Shoppers are more likely to be a returning customer once they have had a valuable shopping experience. According to a recent study conducted by Plot Projects, users are 4 to 7 times more likely to go to a store after seeing an in-app flyer. Many retailers have acknowledged this and are now focusing on expanding their digital presence. Through digital interaction with shoppers, retailers are creating closer connections with their consumers and meeting their shopping needs. Top retail apps provide the shopper with much more choice and convenience to ensure that their shopping experience is seamless. This in-app engagement enhances brand loyalty and builds long-term customer relationships.

Shoppers are moving away from companies that are slow-to-adopt in the digital shopping world and in turn, the companies are suffering the consequences. Retail apps that are easy to use and convenient for the consumer are often ones that add value to the path to purchase experience for shoppers.