Use of Shopping Apps Doubles in Year, Survey Finds

(IDEX Online News) – The usage of mobile applications for shopping has doubled in the past year, according to the CFI Group’s Retail Satisfaction Barometer.

Overall, 41 percent of consumers use mobile apps to search for information while shopping, double the figure from last year. The apps are used to check other retailers’ prices and for coupons or discount offers. They are also used to read product reviews and to research product information.

The report found that two-thirds of 18-34 year-olds use mobile apps during shopping, while the figure drops to 50 percent for 35-44 years olds. For those aged 65-74, the figure falls to just 10 percent.

Despite young people being the focus of retailers’ mobile app endeavors, consumers of all ages said that they have between two to four shopping apps installed.

The survey also found that 51 percent of those questioned would be very likely to use mobile apps to speed-up the checkout process when they become available.