John Lewis launches iPhone app
John Lewis has launched a transactional iPhone app, as consumers increasingly turn to mobile devices for last minute gift searches and price comparison in-store.
The app will give customers access to more than 200,000 products available on Johnlewis.com and includes a barcode scanner so that customers can access additional information about products when in store.
It also includes access to ratings and reviews of products, and stores a history of viewed products and GPS maps and directions to stores.
The app has been launched to coincide with the peak Christmas trading weeks, which John Lewis says can account for a quarter of its annual sales.
The latest research from Google revealed that almost half (44%) of last minute gift searches this year were conducted on a mobile device and that a quarter (24%) of UK shoppers are using mobiles for in-store comparisons. A separate study by tech firm QuBit revealed that retailers are missing out on £4bn worth of potential sales through poor mobile strategies.
Sean O’Connor, head of online delivery and customer experience at John Lewis says: “This is all part of a joined up multi-channel approach that complements and relies upon our physical shops, and the service and expertise our in-store partners have to offer.”
John Lewis claims that sales via its existing m-commerce site have doubled in the past year.
The retailer is already introducing wifi into its stores to help customers access online services in store.
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