Digital Engagement Blog

Consumers love their smart phones, smart devices, and the ability to download mobile apps. There are 75 billion apps in Apple’s app store alone, and with more created every day, consumers have a lot to choose from. While the ever-increasing supply of apps provides a dream for consumers, it can create a nightmare for retailers and app developers.

As we discussed in a blog post last week, the mobile shopping landscape is rapidly changing, and more U.S. consumers are shopping via mobile device to both buy and redeem gift cards.

The holidays are upon us, and before we know it the weeks of planning, anticipation, decorating and shopping will be over with the blink of an eye. Although Black Friday and Cyber Monday are already over, there will always be a portion of the U.S. shopping population that is procrastinating and will be searching for last-minute gifts.

We kicked off Money2020 this past Sunday with a presentation of our recent mobile shopping research to members of the Retail Gift Card Association. The research shows that consumers have identified major gaps in retail shopping apps.

Imagine this phrase uttered in a bored tone by a cashier, and it might take you back to the last time you made a complex purchase in a brick-and-mortar store. Armed with product knowledge, you entered the store and found a sales person and explained what you wanted. If that person wasn’t helpful, you were referred to a manager, and you explained what you wanted all over again.

Are mobile shoppers abandoning their shopping carts on your app? If you’ve put time, money, and effort into your mobile app, it can be frustrating when shoppers begin using it, but then simply abandon the app without making any purchases.