# Shopping Assistant Apps IKEA's Mobile App Now Doubles as a Helpful In-Store Assistant By Laura McQuarrie | Published 2015-07-22 | Tech Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/store-assistant References: [marketingmag](http://www.marketingmag.ca/brands/ikea-adds-in-store-assistant-features-to-mobile-app-152096?rss=yes) & [ikea](http://www.ikea.com/) [IKEA](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-shopin) Canada recently made an update to its mobile app that turns its product catalog into a retail tool that's useful for making purchasing decisions in a store. Some of the features of the app include the ability to check stock and product availability within a store and [generate shopping lists](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/to-the-shop). Once a list has been compiled, the app maps out the location of each item in the store so it is easy to find. Knowing that smartphones are a major part of the modern consumer's shopping process, the app update also includes a [barcode scanning feature](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/maple-scan1) that makes it possible for consumers to find out more about a product. In order to encourage use of the app in-store, IKEA Canada supplies free Wi-Fi. This is an inspiring solution for brands that seek to converge physical and digital shopping experiences. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.3/10 - Popularity: 41% | Activity: 50% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech) > [Mobile](https://www.trendhunter.com/mobile) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Converged Shopping:** This trend highlights the integration of physical and digital shopping experiences, offering opportunities for brands to enhance the customer journey. - **In-store Assistance:** This trend emphasizes the use of mobile apps as helpful tools in physical stores, providing opportunities for retailers to improve customer satisfaction and navigate in-store experiences. - **Barcode Scanning:** This trend focuses on the use of barcode scanning features in mobile apps, opening up opportunities for brands to provide additional product information and enhance the shopping experience. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Retail:** This industry can take advantage of converging shopping experiences by developing integrated physical and digital strategies to elevate the customer journey and increase sales. - **Technology:** This industry can explore opportunities in developing innovative mobile apps that assist in-store experiences, providing retailers with valuable tools to engage and support customers. - **Consumer Goods:** This industry can leverage barcode scanning technologies to deliver enhanced product information and engage consumers in a personalized and interactive way. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Personal Shopping Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/aritzias-new-app.md) - [Housewares Retailer Design Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wayfair-decorify.md) - [AR-Powered Retail Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/augmented-reality-feature.md) - [Home Decor Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pottery-barn-1.md) - [AR-Powered Shopping Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/walmart-5.md) - [Compact In-Retail Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-shopin.md) - [Home Decor Mobile Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pottery-barn-2.md) - [AI Room Designers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ikea-canada-2.md) - [Localized Boutique Shopping Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/boutique-shopping-apps.md)