Google has launched a new shopping app only for China called Google Boutique, which helps shoppers get local information on promotions, discounts and gifts from nearby stores. It’s unclear if this app will be confined to just China.
Pricetector, which launched a price adjustment service called Savvy.com in November, is rebranding under the name Eyeona, as it looks to become an even more useful tool to both consumers and retailers. Eyeona’s goal is to help retailers build a stronger relationship with consumers.
Shopping apps are like InMarket’s Checkpoints apps are becoming powerful discovery tools for brands looking to get the word out on their products. InMarket said 50 percent of its users discovered new products using the Checkpoints app in the fourth quarter last year.
Shopkick started putting all the pieces together with its location-based shopping app last year, helping retailers not only drive foot traffic and engagement, but also incentivizing purchases. The company said retailers and brand partners generated more than $110 million in revenue in 2011.
The Pew Internet and American Life Project shed light on one of the biggest challenges for retailers: more than half of U.S. adult cell phone owners used their mobile phone during the recent holiday season to get in-store help for their purchases.
RedLaser and ShopSavvy have been helpful in letting smartphone users compare prices and decide if the product they’re seeing in-store can be found for cheaper. Now, those apps are letting people not only find better deals but also immediately buy them right through their apps.
Slice, the service that organizes online shopping information such as receipts and shipping information, has launched its first iPhone app. There’s no doubt that Slice is solving first-world problems, but it is quite useful: Slice for web has become quite popular since its May launch.
AisleBuyer lets users purchase a product in-store, allowing them to walk out with their item instead of standing in a check-out line. The app brings some of the ease of use of online shopping like quick checkouts and information with tactile, hands-on benefits of in-store shopping.
