Though many people will be doing last minute holiday shopping via the Internet, many more will be braving the crowds to get those early bargains-and several of them will be carrying their cellular phones. Everyone with a smartphone or tablet will be able to use certain apps to make their holiday shopping a better experience. These apps run the gamut from offering great gift ideas to scanning in-store barcodes to compare prices. Here, then, are just a few of the many ways technology speed up and smooth out the shopping expereince during the holiday season…. and beyond.
Shopping Online Busy executives often find it difficult to carve out time for out of the chair shopping experiences. There are still many large e-tailers who can get your gifts delivered on time. Check out www.amazon.com’s new “Prime” shipping service and get two day shipping for all of your items for an amazingly low price.
Mobile Apps If you own a smartphone or a tablet, you’re in luck when it comes to simplifying your shopping experience this year. Specifically designed apps provide a number of services to the hectic shopper, from being able to locate products, to comparing a product’s price across the board. One app even allows you to take a picture of the item, and it will search the Internet to find you the best price and availability. Check out Mashable’s Holiday App Guide: http://mashable.com/2011/12/13/holiday-shopping-apps/
Smartphone Marketing One major trend this season is in the strategies taken by marketers to catch us even when we’re not tied to our computers. Smartphone marketing could have a big effect on purchasing, as online retailers hope to strategically time their messages to effectively ambush customers while standing in line. One such marketer, for instance, is offering mobile-only deals at 6am, which can sway the would-be shopper from standing in the cold altogether.
Economical Technology Trends Not only will we be using technology to make our shopping lives simpler, but we will also be looking for the next big development. The trend in technology itself is seen in the battle of the tablets-at half the cost, the Kindle Fire is posing a threat to iPad’s dominance, and a new iPhone competitor seems to be entering the market every day. For good reason: the consumer is wary of the economy, will most likely spend less this year, and will be looking for both bargains and value. For those of us intent on going to the brick-and-mortars this season, technology can be a great help, from finding great prices to gift ideas. Apps can help us while we’re in the store, and our mobile phones may ring signaling that we’re paying too much! But the trends that make our shopping easier may take a backseat to those that signal the sign of these times: only the technologies that provide the very best value will be the hot commodities as the economy continues to stumble along.
