Category
Business
Keepsake Countdowns
Trend cluster
Category
App-Based
Retail
Retailers create apps to accompany customers' in-store experiences.
4.6
Trend score
What's Happening
What is the App-Based Retail trend?
App-Based Retail: Retailers are increasingly merging the convenience of online shopping with the engagement of in-person retail--now with accompanied in-store apps. These apps help enhance customer experiences with everything from product information to shopping assistance.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the App-Based Retail trend
Consumers' appreciation for online shopping comes from its convenience, and the wide range of choices they have when shopping online. However, in-person shopping offers a different level of engagement with products, and makes consumers feel more confident in their purchase decisions. Brands that are merging the benefits of both will be increasingly relevant in the contemporary brick and mortar space.
Trend themes
Themes within the App-Based Retail trend
4 behaviours holding the trend together01
Omnichannel Retail
Brands that merge online and in-person shopping experiences will be increasingly relevant
02
Artificial Intelligence
AI-powered assistants like Buzzo can enhance digital shopping experiences
03
Mobile Apps for In-Store Shopping
Apps that provide product information, inventory lookup, and scanning features can improve and streamline the shopping experience
04
Streamlining Returns
'Happy Returns' and similar systems can reduce costs and improve customer satisfaction with in-store return drop-offs
Industry implications
What the App-Based Retail trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Retail
Businesses in the retail industry can benefit from implementing omnichannel and AI-powered customer experiences
For
Technology
The development and integration of mobile apps and streamlined return systems offer opportunities for innovation in the technology industry
For
E-commerce
Advanced retail navigation tools such as Simon Search cater to the growing popularity of e-commerce and offer opportunities for further innovation in the industry
Workshop question
How could your brand merge digital and in-person shopping experiences?
Trend signals
Trend signals for App-Based Retail
Trend score 4.6 out of 10, from popularity 74%, activity 51%, freshness 14%.
Popularity74%
Activity51%
Freshness14%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the App-Based Retail trend
5 featured examples from Feb 26, 2021 to Dec 17, 2022CategoryBusiness
In-Store Shopping Apps
Chico's Launched a New Dedicated Mobile App with Poq Commerce
In-store shopping apps can provide a disruptive innovation opportunity for retailers to enhance their customers' experience while increasing the volume of sales.
CategoryTech
Retail Navigation Tools
The Simon Search App Lets Customers Find Exactly What They Need
The retail industry can improve physical retail experiences while also freeing up employee time by investing in innovative navigation and search tools
CategoryBusiness
Streamlined Return Processes
PayPal and Ulta Beauty are Testing Happy Returns at 1,300 Locations
There is an opportunity for retailers to streamline the return process, improve the customer experience, and reduce costs for both customers and retailers.
CategoryBusiness
AI eCommerce Assistants
Haptik's Artificial Intelligence Assistant Works Like an In-Store Agent
Adopting AI-powered assistants and voice-enabled interfaces by eCommerce platforms and retailers can enhance customer experience and potentially increase revenue by providing a pe…
CategoryBusiness
Text Message Shopping Services
Textual is a Conversational Commerce Platform for SMS
Retailers can benefit from integrating conversational commerce and text message marketing to improve sales and customer engagement.
