Supermarket apps are making use of the power of mobile technology to give shoppers a 'smarter' experience, offering discounts and other benefits with each visit. Having a smartphones in hand, shoppers can now engage in a mobile experience with their favorite foods and products as a result of supermarkets' push for more customers.
Modiv Media and
Ahold teamed up as marketing company and supermarket chain to test a pilot program in Massachusetts allowing customers to scan bar codes into their iPhones. The supermarket app is linked to the rewards card system allowing targeted offers when shopping around.
The pilot program was geared towards supermarket apps and their viability with customers and the supermarket itself. Using smartphone apps cuts costs for the supermarket as customers almost always walk in with their trusted phone. Customers get direct access to ongoing sales on items they continue to purchase directly from supermarket apps while the company can focus on other budget concerns.
Another upside is that many shoppers with smartphones are well accustomed to using barcode scanner apps to shop around for the right prices. Reviews, in addition to prices at various locations are available on barcode scanning apps, which could prove to be quite popular on supermarket apps as well.
The tactics employed by grocery stores could help to improve the overall shopping experience, with more informative buys, faster purchases, and possibly more a interactive experience with the supermarket itself. The advent of new payment options, available through services such as Google Wallet and PayPal, coupled with the supermarket apps experience should prove to be less of a headache for what is a chore to many.
Mobiledia's insight with smart shopping includes developments 'on the forefront of easing the shopping experience. GPS programs to help people locate items in stores are in development, and in the UK and South Korea, apps allow people to point a smartphone at a picture of a product and instantly order it to be shipped to home or office.'
Keep an eye out for when your supermarket makes their app available. For the mean time, check out these
18 apps to help with grocery shopping. While you're out and about, pair your supermarket apps with extra
cell phone batteries and a
cell phone holster to be an always-ready smart shopper.
