Revised Article:
Quick Takeaways:
- A whopping 55% of mobile shoppers snapped up a fresh shopping app ahead of the holiday season, according to Digital Turbine's latest findings.
- Amazon, Walmart, and Target led the pack, but other apps like Nike, Etsy, Poshmark, and Fetch Rewards gained traction too, with above-average install intent.
- Despite increased consumer awareness, Sam's Club and eBay faced a less enthusiastic response from shoppers.
Deeper Insights:
Nike and Etsy's mobile apps were the top climbers during the festive season, according to a report.
In the face of escalating digital adoption, it's no secret that retail giants like Walmart and Amazon rule the roost, and a slew of research corroborates this trend. A 2020 study from Sensor Tower Store Intelligence revealed that Amazon, Walmart, and Shop topped the list of most downloaded shopping apps during last year's Black Friday. Likewise, Apptopia released a report at the beginning of the year that crowned Amazon, Walmart, and Wish as the big three among U.S. shoppers for that whole year.
In the broader context, we're witnessing a surge in the preference for mobile shopping, especially among the younger demographic. A report from Liftoff and Adjust showed a skyrocketing 40% increase in shopping app engagement in 2020 compared to the previous year, hinting at a growing interest in mobile shopping apps as consumers navigated the COVID-19 pandemic. This fall, a Brightpearl.com report suggested that Gen Z shoppers were all set to dive into mobile and social media channels such as Facebook, retailers' mobile apps, WhatsApp, Instagram, and YouTube for holiday shopping.
As more shoppers lean on mobile apps during these challenging times, retailers have ramped up efforts to smoothen the mobile shopping experience. Macy's was among the first to redesign its app navigation and introduce live shopping in early October. Additionally, Target rolled out a "Forgot something?" button in its app, alongside new features to enhance its same-day delivery services.
- The rise in mobile shopping during the pandemic has led to an increase in AI-powered updates to app navigation systems, such as Macy's AI-enabled live shopping feature.
- Research and development in technology have become crucial for retailers seeking to stay competitive, with Walmart and Amazon investing heavily in AI war-room-style command centers to improve their supply chain operations.
- As the pandemic continues, there's growing interest in the use of augmented reality and virtual reality in mobile shopping applications, potentially revolutionizing the way consumers interact with brands and make purchases.
