What are the key objectives behind opting for mobile app development? Well, one of them is increasing sales for sure. However, only a few companies could get it right and mark their presence in the market by setting new milestones. Let’s take the example of two such brands that have witnessed a massive turnaround and boosted their sales significantly after bringing dedicated mobile apps. These top brands are Walmart and Starbucks.
As per the Statista report, the global number of smartphone users was around 7.26 billion in the year 2022, and it is expected to reach over 7.4 billion by 2025. What’s more, an AppAnnie survey has revealed that around 80 percent of the population spends around 4.8 hours on average. Another research report has shown that most people use smartphones for chatting, sending messages, listening to music, and getting banking services online.
All such data shows the importance of mobile applications for companies irrespective of industry sectors. Enterprises hire mobile app developers to grow business and increase sales. A custom app can give a competitive edge and enable companies to grab new opportunities by bringing automation into the process. Let’s understand how a mobile app with desired features has made it possible for Walmart and Starbucks to increase sales. Before moving ahead, here are some of the key reasons why more brands opt for go-mobile these days.
When a brand comes up with a custom mobile app, it can open the doors of new opportunities. A feature-rich mobile app acts as an online source to enhance customer engagement. Also, companies can get data related to customers’ purchasing patterns and interests. This results in more sales conversions and companies can get a loyal customer base eventually.
Another business benefit of mobile app development services is companies can run a loyalty programme for their existing customers. As per the survey conducted by Think with Google, around 51% of smartphone users prefer mobile apps of their favorite brands for browsing and shopping so that they can get the benefit of loyalty points.
Companies hire dedicated mobile app developers to add creative elements like micro-interactions, in-app notifications, payment gateways, multilanguage and multi-currency support, and gamification. Simply put, when it comes to offering a personalised experience to users through various useful features, mobile app development always remains handy.
It is fair to mention that a business-critical mobile app can improve the brand’s visibility and increase accessibility. It makes various processes hassle-free and simple for brands. Along with this, it ensures user convenience and improves customer service. Gradually, trust builds up and your brand starts becoming more popular. Here are two big brands that have successfully leveraged the benefits of mobile app development to increase sales and ensure growth.
It is an American multinational coffeehouse chain that every coffee lover across the world would want to visit. Founded in 1971 in Seattle, Washington, Starbucks has over 35,700 stores today across more than 80 countries. This popular coffee brand has doubled its units over the past decade with exponential and aggressive expansion.
When it comes to the QSR (Quick-Service Restaurant) brand value, it is the second-biggest brand after Mcdonald’s. Talking about the net revenue, Starbucks earned over 26 billion USD in the year 2022. It is a significant rise after two years hit hard by the pandemic. Let’s understand the case study of Starbucks from the perspective of mobile app development.
Interestingly, Starbucks released its first mobile app back in 2009 with features like finding nearby stores, nutrition details, and an interactive drink builder. This app acted as a foundation block for the company to spread brand awareness and increase sustainability. Starbucks integrated an in-app payment feature into the app to facilitate its customers to pay speedily and online. This feature was complimentary for the Starbucks Card and brand loyalty. Starbucks’ mobile app had over 31.2 million users in the year 2021 and it came second after Apple Pay in the USA.
Starbucks introduced a loyalty program based on Machine Learning in the year 2017 to increase customer loyalty and offer them a personalised experience. An in-app loyalty program paid off well and today, this program drives around 50 percent of the business. A feature-rich, user-friendly Starbucks app has contributed to increasing Active Starbucks Rewards members in the USA by 13 to 18 percent every other year.
Generation-wise, 31 to 40 percent of millennials, 24 percent of Gen-X, and 14 percent of baby boomers use the Starbucks app. The Starbucks Rewards Loyalty program 90-day active members have increased to 30.4 million in the USA alone. What’s more, the mobile app also accounts for around a 7 to 10 percent increase in mobile orders on a y-o-y basis.
Here are the top characteristics of the Starbucks app:
Walmart, formerly known as Wal-Mart Stores, Inc., was founded back in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Today, it is the world’s largest retailer and one of the most valuable global brands. It operates in 24 countries through over 10600 discount stores, neighbourhood markets, warehouse membership clouds, and supercenters. A wide selection of products at low prices is one of the USPs of Walmart.
Number of Walmart Stores between 2008 to 2023
After having a humble beginning, this American multinational retail corporation has expanded its presence in the USA and across the world gradually. The brand has gained a lot of popularity swiftly after the arrival of its M-Commerce app with the objective of getting online shopping orders. Just like its brick-and-mortar stores, Walmart has kept the customer-first approach in its web and mobile apps.
The Walmart Shopping & Grocery App has all the necessary information for customers about its stores including locations and open hours. What’s more, app users can create personal shopping lists in the app. An easy-to-understand and interactive UI with in-app cards on the home screens can save a lot of time, effort, and money for its customers. Also, the app is available for both Android and iOS platforms to give a rich and pleasant shopping experience.
Today, Walmart mobile app has over 6.5 million users, and out of them, around 45 percent of customers are millennials, 21 percent of customers are Gen-X, and over 20 percent of customers are baby boomers. The Walmart app is a classic case of how an app can neutralise the impact of the pandemic on businesses. Let’s understand it through some interesting facts and figures.
Before the pandemic, Walmart’s annual revenue stood at $514.4 billion. However, when the lockdown was imposed and social distancing rules were followed stringently, the Walmart mobile app gained ground swiftly. It witnessed record downloads and surpassed the global retail giant Amazon by 20 percent. As a result, the increase in sales was around 1.86 percent in 2020, 6.72 percent in 2021, and finally 2.43 percent in the year 2022. Simply put, Walmart’s mobile app plays a vital role in increasing the retail firm’s revenue and remained one of the best performers during the pandemic age.
Here are the top characteristics of a Walmart App:
Top brands have set new milestones even during the toughest times with the help of dedicated and user-friendly mobile apps. There is no exaggeration in mentioning that customised mobile apps with desired features can take your business to the next level. All you need to hire dedicated developers from a reputed mobile app development company.
Silicon IT Hub is a leading enterprise software development company. We integrate advancements of emerging technologies like AI and IoT to build robust business software. Our tailor-made solutions bring automation into core business processes. Do you want to know more about our web and mobile app development services? Simply drop us a line at [email protected] and one of our experienced professionals will contact you soon!
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