Amazon has made it even easier to find the price of items on Amazon you may see in the real world by adding a simple barcode scanner to its iPhone App.
Simple scan the barcode of any item you see in a book store or high street shop and Amazon will show you its price if available.
It’s already very easy to price check items on Amazon via a smartphone whilst in retail stores, as long as you have 3G coverage. But the addition of the barcode scanner is really going to make life even simpler for the bargain hunter and infuriate high street store owners.
Simply point the camera of your iPhone 4 or 3GS (running iOS4) at the barcode of a product in-store and you will be swept off to the appropriate product page on Amazon.
How the Barcode Scanner Works
The barcode scanner feature leverages the camera on your iPhone to capture the barcode of any product. Once the barcode is scanned, the app quickly processes the information and matches it with Amazon’s vast database of products. This process is almost instantaneous, providing users with the product’s price, availability, and other relevant details. This feature is particularly useful for comparing prices on the go, ensuring that you always get the best deal possible.
For example, imagine you’re in a bookstore and you come across a novel that piques your interest. Instead of wondering if you could get it cheaper online, you can simply scan the barcode with your iPhone. Within seconds, you’ll know the price on Amazon, and you can decide whether to purchase it in-store or order it online. This not only saves time but also helps in making informed purchasing decisions.
Impact on Retail Shopping
The introduction of the barcode scanner in Amazon’s iPhone app has significant implications for both consumers and retailers. For consumers, it means greater transparency and the ability to make smarter shopping choices. The convenience of quickly checking prices can lead to substantial savings over time, especially for frequent shoppers.
However, for high street store owners, this feature can be a double-edged sword. While it drives competition and encourages retailers to offer competitive pricing, it can also lead to a phenomenon known as “showrooming.” Showrooming occurs when customers visit a physical store to examine a product in person but then purchase it online at a lower price. This trend can be frustrating for brick-and-mortar retailers who invest in providing a tangible shopping experience but lose sales to online competitors.
To counteract this, some retailers have started offering price-matching guarantees, where they match the price of an item found online if it is lower than their in-store price. This strategy aims to retain customers and encourage them to complete their purchase in-store rather than turning to online alternatives.
In conclusion, Amazon’s addition of a barcode scanner to its iPhone app is a game-changer for both consumers and retailers. It empowers shoppers with instant access to price comparisons, making it easier to find the best deals. At the same time, it challenges traditional retail models, pushing them to adapt and innovate in order to stay competitive. Whether you’re a savvy shopper or a retailer, this feature is set to have a lasting impact on the way we shop.
Via Gadget Lab
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