The mobile revolution has been obvious for several years now. Retailers are the best examples of this.

By launching Android and iOS apps, retailers are giving new customers more shopping options through Omni-channel experiences and loyalty programs on mobile devices.

Let’s dive into why people like to shop in-store?

Shopping in stores is most important because people can touch, test, and see the products they intend to buy. In addition, two-thirds of all offline shoppers check prices on their mobile app before they make a purchase.

Also, some consumers prefer to consult sales representatives and try clothes on before making a purchase or don't want to pay extra for shipping.

Benefits of mobile apps for retail stores

Mobile applications are usually associated with online sales, but they can also be a great tool to boost offline sales. For retailers, what are the advantages of mobile apps?

A retail mobile app can help you market your products more effectively and bring customers back to your stores. The convenience of shopping can be enhanced by a mobile solution. The result will be increased customer loyalty, which will lead to increased sales.

Below is the list of top benefits for customers by using a mobile application:

Loyalty program for collecting points and membership
Transaction history which allows paperless receipts
Booking video/audio appointments with sales reps
Product catalog and access to sales and other discounts using an app
Customer registration
Easy return process
Geolocation can show you stores near your city

Features for a mobile app for retail stores

Customer profile and membership data

Customer profiles in your retail shop are where your users will share information with you and store data about their transactions and discounts. Carrying membership cards in wallets isn’t convenient, as many retailers offer discounts, bonuses, and loyalty programs. You can make your customers’ lives much easier if you let them check their bonuses on their devices and digital membership card within the mobile app.

2. Notifications

The best way to reach your customers is through notifications. Notifications are more likely to be opened than SMS or emails, so you will be able to inform your clients more accurately about discounts.

In addition to getting your customers to come into your store to get a discount, you can also use push notifications to bring them back to your app for exclusive discounts.

3. Barcode scanner

By scanning the barcode, you can read all the information on your device's screen instead of trying to figure out what the ingredients are on the label. Barcodes can tell customers more information about products and can help prevent them from buying food with ingredients they want to avoid.

4. Contactless mobile payments

Customers can choose to pay via various mobile payment options such as Klarna, Swish, Apple pay, and G-pay or using devices such as smartwatches or Samsung Pay, this helps customers with easy payment options and avoid standing in long billing lines.

5. Augmented reality

Augmented reality is one of the hottest topics in the modern tech world, and it’s getting lots of attention from all kinds of industries, from gaming to construction. Retail is no exception. IKEA has already implemented augmented reality into its retail mobile app. IKEA’s mobile solution allows customers to see how furniture will look in their house or flat.