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This week I have discussed my top 5 shopping apps on @SAFM with @AshrafGarda on Tech Media today:
Price: Free
Launched late last year on both iOS and Android, this app replaces the paper based loyalty card where one accumulated physical stickers for smoothies, coffees and kids meals. The app now replaces all paper based mechanisms but allowing the electronic redemption of tokens for smoothies, protein based smoothies, coffees and kids meals. It has a simple registration process and you can start using the app immediately, with a free smoothie on sign up. Each virtual loyalty card has a barcode which the cashier scans and the electronic gets added to the virtual card. On collection of 12 tokens per card you get rewarded with a free treat. Currently this is being rolled out at a variety of stores around the country so not all stores support the scanning of the app virtual cards. Details of stores that support the app are found on the website.
I personally like this app as it does have one less loyalty card to remember to carry along, and especially in todays app world, it does provide that convenience factor (rather than having another physical loyalty card to manage and maintain).
2. bidorbuy : http://www.bidorbuy.co.za/mobi : Available on iOS, Android, BlackBerry, Windows Phone
Price: Free
Shopping on your finger tips on South Africa’s most popular eCommerce platform. The bidorbuy app has all the functionality you would find on the website with the most extensive choice of payment methods. As a user one can shop on the store, bid on auctions or browse through the classifieds. The online portal is trusted, sellers are verified so buying on the mobile apps is a natural progression for the bidorbuy consumer. All the apps are native and tap into the native functionality of the phones so you get a truly optimised mobile experience for the handset you are on. The latest update included an advanced search whereby one could search within results.
There is a tablet enhanced version on iOS coming soon.
3.Amazon: http://www.amazon.com Currently available on all mobile platforms
Price: Free
Amazon is the worlds largest eCommerce store with the best personalised mobile experience. For those of you who cannot find your products locally, Amazon is the perfect alternative. Their eCommerce experience is personalised based on purchasing history, and this experience is carried through on your mobile device. This has been my benchmark for mCommerce apps and is my all time favourite as it provides the best user experience. They also have Apple Watch support.
4. Groupon: http://www.groupon.co.za/ Currently available on all platforms
Price:Free
Currently the world’s leading daily deal finder. Sign up for local deals and have them delivered to your phone via push messaging. Deals can be bought and redeemed directly on the phone as it saves your vouchers in the app. If travelling, change your location to get relevant deals in your area.
5. SnapScan : http://www.snapscan.co.za/ – iOS , Android, BlackBerry
Price: Free
This is one of my favourite payment apps that is endorsed by Standard Bank and is widely accepted by over 18 000 stores throughout South Africa. The app stores your credit card details securely and allows you to pay for your coffee, to restaurant bills, to office stationery and even your mobile car parking attendants in Cape Town central. It solves a business problem and consumer problem and especially during load-shedding when Point of Sale terminals are sometimes offline, if SnapScan is available at a merchant then life just continues uninterrupted.