In this blog post is all about the question of whether a smartphone scanning app makes sense and, if so, whether it is better to use a native or a hybrid app. Additionally, sample workflows for such apps are presented. There is no doubt that mobile devices are playing an increasingly important role in online commerce and beyond. However, the Designing and implementing a successful native smartphone scanning app is anything but simple. Changes to an existing App must be carefully planned to avoid alienating loyal customers.
Above all, another disadvantage that should not be underestimated is the development effort and cost of a native app.
Such specially developed apps usually have to be developed for different operating systems in separate versions. This means increased effort and cost. Updates have to be provided separately for each platform. The biggest disadvantage is that you have to fund two separate software development teams to develop both iOS and Android mobile apps, as well as the existing Web application to develop, enhance and maintain. This requires more resources and ultimately results in significantly higher costs.
Our solution to all these challenges is a web app, also called a cross-platform app, that runs in the browser and is therefore device-independent. Our web app, affectionately called "Smart PWA", works equally well on devices running Android or iOS operating systems.
The biggest benefit for smartstore users? You do not need to do anything else. Starting with version 5, your Smartstore automatically provides all these Benefits at no additional cost.
Now let's move on to a sample workflow that Smart PWA offers you.
The future of shopping using a mobile-first strategy
The term "New Retail" was coined in the retail industry by Jack Ma, founder of Alibaba. It describes the combination of online and offline retail to provide customers with an enhanced shopping experience. This includes using technology to integrate data from online and offline purchases to enable personalized offers and improved delivery of products and services . New Retail is also using technologies such as artificial intelligence, augmented reality, and the Internet of Things (IoT) to transform retail.
With this in mind, we also look at the role of the cell phone. It will become the primary tool for online shopping. But let's take it step by step. First, let's take a look at the upcoming changes and their impact on what the new generation wants. At the same time, we'll look at the opportunities this technology offers and how it will permanently change the shopping experience.
Our Smart PWA is designed to support the following retail workflows:
- Click & Collect: Customers can select and purchase products online and then pick them up in the store. The customer "clicks" on the items they want online and "picks them up" in person.
- Click & Meet: Customers can make appointments online to view or purchase products in the store. It is a type of appointment for in-store shopping.
- Click & Eat: This term is often used for ordering dishes or meals online. The customer selects the desired dishes online and either eats them in the restaurant or has them delivered.
- Click to Pay: This feature provides an easy and quick way to make payments online. The customer clicks on the "Click to Pay" button and enters their payment information to complete the purchase.
- Get & Go / Grab & Go / Pay & Go / Pick & Go / Shop & Go: These terms refer to similar concepts in which customers can quickly select products or meals, pay, and leave the store without having to stand in line at the checkout or put up with long waits. The goal is to make the shopping process more efficient and time-saving.
- Scan & Go: With Scan & Go, customers can scan products themselves as they walk through the store and then pay for them using a mobile app. This eliminates the need to scan products at the checkout and saves time when paying.
- Tap & Go: This term refers to a contactless payment method in which customers simply hold or place their payment card or mobile device against a reader to complete the payment. It allows for quick and convenient payment without PIN entry or signature.
Our Smart PWA thus offers a wide range of functions to support the shopping of the future:
- Convenient scanning and payment: Your customers can conveniently scan products with their smartphone and pay directly in the app. This allows you to increase your sales and save on operating costs at the same time.
- Seamless integration: Thanks to the Smart PWA REST API, we can integrate seamlessly into your existing system landscape. This allows your customers to enjoy the full shopping experience without having to switch between different applications.
- No effort, no cost: With Smart PWA, you don't make any commitments. Our solution offers full Scan & Go functionality, so your customers don't need to download and install an additional app. They can simply scan a QR code you provide and begin the shopping experience.
- Multiple payment methods: Smartstore supports over a hundred different payment methods such as credit card, PayPal or SEPA. After payment, the app automatically creates a digital invoice confirming the purchase. The payment process is fast, easy and environmentally friendly.
- Flexibility with product groups: Smartstore supports various product groups, regardless of the industry. Whether it's FMCG, electronics or fashion, our solution is agnostic and implementable worldwide.
- Personalized recommendations: Smartstore provides highly personalized recommendations to increase average purchase value and customer loyalty. Based on customer data, your customers receive recommendations when they add products to their shopping cart.
- Checkout Integration: Smartstore enables smooth integration with checkout systems of any size. All necessary information can be scanned by the cashier for easy payment.
- Product information in your pocket: Smartstore's smartphone scanning app gives your customers access to comprehensive product information at any time. The app also suggests complementary products. Adding or changing information is easy and usable for all stores.
- Vouchers & Coupons: Your customers can use vouchers and coupons in the wallet provided by Smartstore. With the built-in rule builder, you can create custom workflows for your customer groups.
- Shared Shopping Lists: Customers can create shopping lists and browse the assortment from the comfort of their own homes. The shopping list function promotes customer loyalty and suggests additional or higher-value products.
- Age verification: Smartstore enables age verification to ensure that underage customers cannot purchase products with Age Restriction can be purchased. Employees can verify the customer's age before proceeding with the checkout process.
Our Smart PWA is designed for your business and has all the features you need to make the shopping experience of your customers.
Smartstore offers solutions to other retail challenges. One big problem is network availability, but Smartstore has a solution for that as well. With Smart PWA, it is possible to scan products even offline . Even if the Internet connection is interrupted, customers can still scan products and add them to the shopping cart. Only the payment process requires a one-time connection. Alternatively, customers who have an existing customer account can make payment after leaving the store by SEPA direct debit or a stored payment method.
Another challenge is to better understand customers and analyze their shopping behavior. Here, too, Smartstore offers a solution. AI-based analytics tools are used to capture customer shopping behavior and link customer data to Customer loyalty systems, location data and payments. This information is available not only on PCs, but also on mobile devices as well. Based on this, you can optimize your store layout, run targeted promotions, and optimize Optimize pricing at the individual customer level.
Using Store Front , you can automatically promote brands and products. With Smartstore, you can create powerful content like top banners, hero products, and product carousels to draw your customers' attention and increase sales. You can create campaigns in real time and display content on touchscreen monitors and PCs. The success of the campaigns can be monitored via the Conversion Rate dashboard can be measured.
Quick login and registration can be a hurdle for customers who want to enter the store without Delay. Smartstore provides easy sign-in and registration for customers, enabling a true omnichannel experience. Customers can log in with the same account across systems and benefit from a convenient Customer Journey.
Loyalty rewards and recommendations can also be offered while tracking customer behavior across channels.
Handheld scanner integration is also not a problem. Smartstore Connect is compatible with Android handheld scanners from Zebra. This allows you to provide your customers with a consistent self-scanning experience across all devices.
With Smartstore, you get a comprehensive solution to address these retail challenges and optimize your shopping experience.
This is what an optimized customer journey looks like: A smooth flow for your customers
The Customer Journey, the customer's journey through your store, plays a crucial role in your business success. With Smartstore, you can optimize this journey based on your requirements and the needs of your employees and customers. Learn what an optimized process can look like:
Step 1: The customer enters the store
The customer enters the store and the Smartstore Customer App automatically detects the location. Shopping can begin immediately.
Step 2: Scan products
The customer starts shopping by scanning the products and placing them in the virtual shopping cart. Thanks to the user-friendly operation of the app, this step is completed quickly and easily even without an active Internet connection.
Step 3: The payment process
Payment is made conveniently in the app. For confirmation, the customer receives an Exit QR code . This code is needed later to complete the purchase. Alternatively, the customer can leave the store without paying, and payment is made automatically at a later time.
Step 4: Scanning the exit QR code
At the POS, the customer scans the exit QR code. The POS checks the validity of the QR code and whether further interactions are required. For example, if a random check or removal of a security tag is required, the employee receives a Push notification to their app.
Step 5: Closing and Settlement
After the exit QR code is successfully scanned, the screen at the POS displays a success screen and the barrier opens. At the same time, the successful completion is displayed on the customer app and the receipt can be downloaded. If desired, all purchased products can also be shown on the POS display.
The optimized customer journey with Smartstore makes the shopping process a seamless experience for your customers. You save time while offering your customers a modern and convenient shopping experience. See for yourself the benefits of an optimized Customer Journey and increase customer satisfaction in your store.