Retail Stores Cry Wolf Over Price Check App from Amazon.com

Amazon.com launched a new Price Check app for smartphones that allows users to scan an item’s barcode in a store to check if Amazon has a cheaper price. If so, you can buy it right there in the store…from Amazon.

The Retail Industry Leaders Association is understandably upset claiming, “the app unfairly uses bricks-and-mortar stores as “showrooms to then purchase merchandise online from inside the store.”   

Fair enough. However, I’ve never heard them complain when people go online to sites like Amazon to research products and services then go and buy them in the store.I’ve never heard Jeff Bezos publicly decrying that his conversion rates are lower because people do research and read product reviews online then go into a brick-and-mortar store to buy something.

I would encourage retailers to stop complaining about technology and focus on making the in-store buying experience exceptional for the customer. It’s the one thing Amazon can’t compete with. If you focus on great services and buying experiences customers won’t be thinking about apps on their phone.

Comments

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[London Roofer]

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[Halo Web Design]

It’s difficult to get knowledgeable people today on this subject, but you sound like you know what you are talking about.

[Jamie Viggiano]

There really is no need for retailers to be afraid of this new app, since in the end, if a customer sees a product he likes through the app, he would buy it and the retailers can still profit from it. Also, the accessibility of information helps consumers decide with their purchase. In fact, studies say more than 50% of Americans research about products/services first prior to getting them. The best thing retailers can do is to improve their products/services so consumers will not end up getting disappointed.