Consumers believe current retail apps are failing to deliver the high quality and interactive mobile shopping experience they demand, according to new research.
Despite a third of UK consumers admitting to downloading more retail apps in the last 12 months than they did in the previous year, just 40% said that they were satisfied with the current offering.
The report, by mobile app developer Apadmi, found that nearly one in five consumers would like to see retailers invest in more innovation to improve apps, while 30% would be more likely to use them if they could do more than just browse and buy – a message that wholesalers might also be well advised to heed with regards to the apps that they use.
Only a third of app users said they had noticed any kind of improvement in the shopping tools they have previously downloaded and more than a quarter said that they would think less of a retailer who had developed an app, but who failed to update it regularly.
Of those shoppers who said that they wanted to see improved innovation or incentives to use apps, more than a fifth said they would prefer apps that could help them make purchasing decisions, or recommend products based on their browsing history.
More than half said they would be more likely to download apps if they were offered specific rewards for doing so.
Commenting on the findings Nick Black, CEO of Apadmi, said: “These results sound a clear warning message that while retail apps are becoming more popular with consumers, many are failing to meet expectations and deliver the kind of service that customers clearly expect.
“New technology is making it possible to offer a genuinely personalised mobile retail experience, helping consumers make purchasing decisions, and even recommend new products, and apps are an ideal platform to deliver this service.
“Retailers should use these findings as a kick-start to improve their apps before consumers start to turn away.”
