Everybody loves shopping, and shopping online from the comfort of your home has its own perks. But over the past couple of years, the focus has been moving beyond e-commerce and into m-commerce.
There are over a billion smartphone and tablet users all over the world, with new users jumping on the bandwagon every single day. According to InMobi’s 2014 Mobile Media Consumption Report, at least 83 percent of shoppers with mobile devices plant to make a purchase on their device this year. In addition, 48 percent of the respondents listed media consumed on their mobile devices as having the most influence on their purchase decisions.
Moreover, the app culture is increasingly influencing the shopping culture. Let’s have a look at how mobile apps are changing shopping habits.
Mobile Visual Search
The integration of the mobile visual search technology into apps has made shopping a cakewalk. Recognizing and finding products with the help of technology has become very simple. CamFind (free) is one such app with this technology; simply take a picture of the QR code, barcode, or just the item itself and get search results without even typing.
3D Image Recognition & Speedy, Accurate Payment
This goes a step further. Now apps can also recognize images appearing in newspapers, catalogs, newsletters, etc and allow users to buy directly from supported circulars and catalogs. Pounce! (free) is one such app that does this. It also makes mobile payment just a matter of a few simple steps.
The user is required to put his information only once. The payment-related information is then saved for future purchases.
Personal Shopping
You fear a fashion faux-pas? Get an app like Mallzee (free), which acts as your own personal shopper. The fashion-friendly app makes fashion suggestions and enables your friends to vote on whether you should make the purchase or not. The app learns more about your fashion sense as you use it.
Quick Price Comparisons
We all want to get the best deal. But comparing prices in online and offline stores eats up a lot of time.RedLaser (free) lets you scan an item's barcode and compare prices among online retailers and local stores. You can digitally manage items by saving them, tracking them, or registering to receive push notifications about good deals.
Shopping Rewards
If youl love coupons, points, and special offers, you might enjoy Shopkick (free), which gives rewards (or kicks) almost immediately. Walk into a participating store and win a reward! Scan products in a store and win rewards! Isn’t that cool? the app's makers have partnered with several stores, and this makes it affordable for them to give away rewards so quickly.
With apps to guide your shopping in terms of finance, fashion, and comfort, there seems to be no limit to the possibilities in app-assisted mobile shopping.
So the next time you need to shop and your shopping buddy is busy or you lack time, turn to your digital shopping buddies for help.