New Ways to Buy Items from Walmart
Walmart has launched new applications for the iPhone and iPad designed to give its customers tools to plan their weekly shopping trips as well as a new way to access Walmart both in-store and online.
The new apps will enable customers to enjoy an enhanced, seamless shopping experience across Walmart’s 3,800 U.S. stores and Walmart.com through mobile devices.
The two free applications are the first of several mobile products to be rolled out from the recently formed @WalmartLabs group under Walmart’s Global eCommerce unit. The iPhone application features new updates that include smart shopping lists with integrated access to manufacturers’ coupons and support for QR code scanning.
@WalmartLabs is based in the heart of Silicon Valley. The business unit creates platforms, products and businesses around social and mobile commerce to support Walmart’s global strategy of seamlessly integrating the shopping experience between brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce.
Walmart’s first-ever iPad application delivers a rich experience that allows customers to browse, search and purchase their favorite items online, as well as the ability to browse the inventory of their local store from the comfort of their home.
“Today, mobile allows us to have a similar personal relationship with our customers that Sam Walton had with his customers 50 years ago when he opened the first Walmart store,” said Gibu Thomas, Walmart’s senior vice president of mobile and digital.
“We can greet each of our customers by name, guide them through our stores, and give them product recommendations and real-time savings — all from their mobile devices.”
According to Walmart, consumers are using mobile devices in greater numbers this year to enhance their shopping experience. According to a recent Nielsen report, it says, 50 percent of mobile phone users will have smartphones by the end of 2011, and the National Retail Federation estimates that over 52 percent of smartphone users will use their devices for holiday shopping.
Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. serves customers and members more than 200 million times per week at over 9,700 retail units under 69 different banners in 28 countries.
Photo courtesy: @WalmartLabs
