Look out retailers; mobility gives the "Precision Shopper" the ability to rule this holiday season as they will be equipped with competitive deals from a host of retailers. As smart phones, tablets and iPads have become more affordable, there is a shift from shopping via the PC to a mobile device. More and more consumers are walking around with a small computer in their pockets when out shopping. Companies like Amazon, Google, and Westfield Mallshave taken notice and developed apps to help make shoppers more confident and position them to get the best deal in less time than shopping the old fashioned way.
The list of apps and sites are becoming endless; below are a few that I have found to be handy and easy to use.
Amazon Mobile
Compares items you see in store with what's available online.
Coupon Sherpa
This handy free iPhone and Android app lets you know what coupons are available for stores near you.
Google Shopper
Get product pricing, availability and reviews for products by scanning barcodes and cover art, or by voice and text search. Shopper also shows great deals around you and lets you buy, view and redeem Google Offers.
ShopSavvy
This Barcode Scanner and QR Code Reader allows you to find the lowest online or local prices. Search across merchants in North America and Europe and tap into almost every major retailer to find the best deal.
RedLaser
RedLaser is a free scanning application for your smart phone that scans bar codes or QR codes and allows you to check prices, and find in stores nearby. It also checks for food Allergens.
Retail Me Not
This offers insights into who has the best deal on Black Friday, as well as acting as a source for store coupons. Retail Me Not is not an app yet so I recommend that you Like them on Facebook http://www.facebook.com/RetailMeNot
The Find Catalogue
Exclusive to the iPad and Android tablets, this app lets you flip through the same full-color retail catalogs you'd normally receive in the mail (It helps you to be green especially if you don't want all those catalogs in your home.)
Tweetalicious
Tweetalicious is a "shopping discovery engine" that allows you to find deals that are posted on Twitter.com.
Westfield Malls Shopping App
Westfield Malls has an app that lets you comparison shop over your phone while you're in the mall. It really is made for the "Precision Shopper."
The "Precision Shopper" is the savvy shopper armed with the resources to discover, evaluate and compare items before making a purchase. I am known as a deal hunter and now, armed with my iPhone, I will be able to surf my way through this holiday season with the ability to locate the best possible deals.
