Shopaholics rejoice! Let us do the dance of joy! On Tuesday Amazon launched TextBuyIt, letting people text the name of a product, description, UPC or ISBN to the numbers "262966" (which is Amazon on the keypad), so we can buy from our cell phones, including from inside stores.
The service returns two results at a time, where you can buy one of the first two selections by texting "1" or "2," or you can ask for more info by texting the letter "M." Enter the e-mail address you have with your Amazon account and your shipping zip code and wait for the service to call you. They walk you through the checkout process with an automated voice system. You then get confirmation by text message and e-mail and as well as view your order online. The competition isn't so happy but this is way, way cool.
Shopping by Text Message
Amazon TextBuyIt
Trend Themes
1. Mobile Shopping - The rise of text-based shopping platforms like Amazon TextBuyIt enables consumers to make purchases directly from their cellphones, providing a disruptive innovation opportunity in the retail industry.
2. Conversational Commerce - The use of automated voice systems in the checkout process, as seen in Amazon TextBuyIt, indicates a trend towards conversational commerce, presenting opportunities for voice-based interactions with online retailers.
3. Seamless Checkout - The integration of text messaging and automated voice systems in the checkout process, exemplified by Amazon TextBuyIt, highlights the growing trend towards frictionless and seamless checkout experiences, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity for businesses in enhancing customer convenience.
Industry Implications
1. Retail - The introduction of text-based shopping platforms like Amazon TextBuyIt presents a transformative opportunity for retailers to reach and engage with consumers directly through their mobile devices.
2. E-commerce - The emergence of text-based shopping capabilities exemplified by Amazon TextBuyIt signifies the potential for e-commerce businesses to capitalize on the convenience and accessibility of mobile shopping, ushering in a new era of online retail experiences.
3. Telecommunications - The convergence of text messaging, voice systems, and e-commerce in services like Amazon TextBuyIt highlights the growing relevance of telecommunications and the potential for innovation in facilitating seamless mobile-based shopping experiences.