We live in a fact paced world where convenience in everything about dealing with our lives is the key. People want work done fast. And Mobile shopping helps millions of these fast runners in life do exactly that!
Now, one can easily indulge in some classic retail therapy using their smart phones. And retail shopping via apps is an amazing playing field where competition can actually benefit the end user! So, what is the future of retail stores that are set up as applications and what features set them apart from other forms of online retailing?
Future of Retail Stores Through Mobile App
Bar-coding it Right
Most retail store apps come with the barcode facility. Using this option, the user can scan the barcode of any item and check their availability online. They can use the barcode to locate the nearest stores that stock the item. The barcode facility also makes it more convenient for the user to search the item on their retail store app and buy it. Moreover, retail store apps are also equipped with handling not just barcodes; they can read labels, book covers and other information and locate the product for the user.
Increased Access
The one thing that changes the game for retail is that now businesses can attract more customers through their apps. Now a customer does not need to travel to the store and waste precious time on long checkout lines. One simple tap and the item is theirs. Such ease of access means more business. Moreover, by setting up apps, retailers can increase their brand loyalty, retain customers and also initiate repeat sales.
The Benefit of Push
Push notification and instant alert features for retail store apps can allow businesses to send in messages about sales or any other information directly to their customers. The need to send mass promotional e-mails and the fear of finding a spot in a customer’s spam folder can now be quelled!
The Future Ahead
The way in which the retail app store scenario is shaping up will surely fuel a different future for businesses. With the need to hire fewer personnel for their stores (as their business get literally ‘online’), retailers can save a lot more. Moreover, apps are relatively less expensive to develop and maintain.
More Options for Customers
Frankly, it is much easier to browse through deals online than to go to individual stores to check them out. With the entry of mobile apps for retails, customers can now do that without even using mobile web. Retail store apps that display discounts and deals on various brands prove to be a boon in this scenario. Apart from deals, customers can also benefit from the fact that now they have access to several brands. They can simply download the store’s app, browse through the information, store information for offline use and shop when they want!
Retail store apps on mobile platforms will surely increase the reach of brands. Using this feature, businesses can now reach customers who are not physically present in their stores. This gives them the opportunity to spread their business successfully without worrying too much about setting up new stores in different locations.