It\u2019s clear that apps have become the 21st century loyalty card<\/strong>, and when done right, are an explosive revenue driver and cost saver for retail brands. Read on to learn five reasons retail apps have become an essential part of the modern brand\u2019s marketing strategy, and why it\u2019s no longer optional for retailers to have one:<\/p>\n <\/p>\n 1.) Mobile Orders & Payment Drive Repeat Business<\/p>\n While mobile orders and payments are a fairly new retail app feature, they\u2019ve more than proven their value already. By launching order ahead within their app that already accepts mobile payment, Starbucks delivered the one-two-punch necessary to accelerate performance. As of Q1 2016 close, a whopping 21% of Q1 2016\u2019s orders and\u00a0$6 million\u00a0in revenue were attributed to mobile order and pay. \u00a0Why the success?\u00a0Starbucks has eliminated the friction from your morning coffee routine.<\/strong>\u00a0Being able to order and pay for your coffee ahead of time using the app means avoiding long lines and transactional woes, equating to more frequent visits out of sheer convenience.<\/p>\n 2.) Modern Day Consumers Value Convenience<\/p>\n Speaking of convenience, marketers everywhere will tell you that the modern day consumer values it over most other factors. The most seamless way to deliver convenience to consumers? Via an app. Hence why startups like Uber and Instacart have found\u00a0unprecedented success, and now retail brands are following suit. \u00a0While Starbucks got a jump on mobile order and payment, other big names from\u00a0Walmart\u00a0to Target have plans to capitalize on this trend and ensure they don\u2019t get left behind. Retail apps ensure users have relevant information in real time, from offers to sales, rewards card numbers and even payment information. Basically, retail apps grant consumers the ability to control their entire shopping experience via their phone.<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong>3.) Apps Enhance The In-Store Experience<\/p>\n Retail giant Walmart\u2019s investment in mobile comes at a time where brick and mortar stores are struggling to stay relevant in an\u00a0ever dominating ecommerce world. Their app allows customers to access deals, create shopping lists, refill prescriptions, and more. Walmart\u2019s hope is that by enhancing their in-store experience with the help of their mobile app, consumers will opt to shop with them rather than with online competitors such as Amazon.<\/p>\n Proving just how committed they are to the digital transformation, Walmart has even\u00a0geofenced\u00a0their stores so that customers can check-in via their app upon arrival to see relevant store information and sales as well as have online orders ready for pickup. In addition, their \u201cSavings Catcher\u201d app feature allows users to scan the product barcode to ensure lowest price guarantees. And with the launch of\u00a0Walmart Pay\u00a0on iOs a few weeks back to streamline the checkout process, it\u2019s clear that Walmart is doubling down it\u2019s investments in mobile as a way to win over consumers in the digital age.<\/p>\n 4.) The Ability to Personalize Loyalty Programs & Rewards<\/p>\n Another reason retailers should invest in apps? They grant you the ability to reward users and drive repeat conversion through tangible rewards. Consumers are much more inclined to download and use your app if they know they\u2019ll be rewarded, and apps give marketers the power to create a personalized rewards program based on the individual user. For example, Starbucks loads a free coffee coupon for users on their birthday. \u00a0Building a rewards program into your retail app based on frequency of purchases is a great way to incentivize consumers to continually convert. Popular salad chain SweetGreen has a rewards section to their app where they showcase your progress and how close you are to your next reward. This tactic is more powerful than a printed\u00a0coupon or a loyalty card because consumers are able to visualize and understand just how close they are to their next reward. Having all of a shopper\u2019s pertinent information and rewards in one digital place is not only beneficial for the shopper, but the retailer itself. Howard Schultz told analysts that Mobile order and pay has\u00a0significantly increased line efficiency<\/a>, minimizing wait and those deterred by long lines. Granting shoppers the ability to order via the app also means less resources are needed in-store. Finally, mobile apps allow for digital receipts, significantly cutting down retail paper cost and waste.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The Future of Retail<\/strong><\/p>\n If \u00a0Black Friday\u00a02015 was any indication, mobile is becoming the modern day consumer\u2019s ideal medium for shopping. However, there is a way for brick-and-mortar and the digital world to coexist. A mobile app that enhances the in-store experience is a perfect way to bridge the gap between eCommerce and traditional retail, promoting a highly personalized and efficient store interaction.<\/p>\n Brands like Starbucks and Walmart understood that their business model wasn\u2019t in tune this shift in consumer behavior towards mobile and needed to act fact. Their sense of urgency is validated by a study confirming that\u00a01 in 5 smartphone\u00a0users will use mobile pay this year. And with that number trending upward, It\u2019s now clearer than ever that if retailers want to remain a priority to consumers tomorrow, they need to make mobile a priority today.<\/p>\n Want to learn everything you need to know about how to transforming your retail brand from digital to mobile?<\/strong>\u00a0We’ve got you covered.\u00a0Contact us<\/a> today and see how we can help you grow your business.<\/p>\n
\n5.) Retail Apps Increase Efficiency and In-Store Execution<\/p>\n
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