August 2, 2020

Some retailers are a little hesitant to offer a mobile shopping app, let alone encourage their existing customers to use it on a regular basis. When speaking with executives at supermarket and pharmacy chains, we learn time and again that they worry about replacing in-store visits with online purchases for different reasons. While their concerns can all be resolved using the right mobile commerce solutions (which I’ll discuss in a later article, so stay tuned!), it’s first important to understand the value of having in-store visitors use mobile shopping apps as well. 

1. Keeping in touch with your audience

Maintaining the connection with customers when they’re outside your store is worth its weight in gold. Mobile apps enable you to send relevant push notifications and bring back customers who may not have visited for quite some time. It also allows you to stay in touch with regular customers and provide them with relevant information that will make their next visit that much better. We all know that great business is based on solid relationships and that’s exactly how you build a strong connection with your target audience. 

2. Getting to know customers 

What products are purchased by each demographic group, and how frequently? Which  audience should be the focal point of your next campaign? These and many other questions regarding your customers’ shopping habits can be answers based on concrete data collected by your mobile app and analyzed for clear and valuable insights. Even if you think you know your audience pretty well, let your app reveal a few surprising facts and help you build better experiences and ads. Your offline campaigns will focus on the most relevant audiences while your online campaigns will be personalized for each customer based on their behavior. 

3. Improving the in-store experience

A recent survey that we’ve also shared on our newsletter, The News Shelf (sign up here!), reveals that more than half of in-store visitors also opt for online shopping. This dual-channel approach is comfortable for shoppers because it answers different needs, but it can also be quite beneficial for retailers and brands themselves. Through your mobile app, you are able to enhance customers’ in-store visits with real-time offers and information. If you let regular customers know of any loyalty club points or relevant coupons they can use at the cash register, you’ll win their hearts and trust for the long run.

There’s no need to fear mobile. Your target audience is already using it for shopping and everything else, so it’s time for you to allow this little device to make a huge difference for your business. If you’re not sure where to start, that’s what the shelfy.io team is here for, so feel free to contact us anytime (and yes, you can use your mobile device for that as well).