One of the most kickass features of Amazon where I feel it can solve a lot of problems in buying a product. Gone are the days when you needed to type a product name to search for it. It is now replaced by voice search, now what if you don’t know what the name of the product is? Amazon is already a step ahead in resolving these queries by bringing in the scan feature.
The feature used image-recognition technology which is similar to google search option. So let’s dive deep as to understand what is the feature and how is it useful.
On the Amazon App, near the search bar, they have included an icon of a camera that on a ‘click ‘will scan the product and it will appear on Amazon page directly (See image 1 & 2 below). So now you can scan any product floating around on the internet or offline is up for grabs at Amazon app. Leave alone other e-commerce giants like snap deal or Flipkart, even offline stores will face some competition now.
Image 1
Once you find the product you want to buy just start scanning the product with just a click.
Image 2
As soon as you scan, the product automatically appears on the App. to buy. Click on the below link to view the complete video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRSwwmAtfRY&feature=youtu.be
Why will a user use this feature?
As per the source* the data shows, 49% of product searches now happen on Amazon directly & 35% happen on google in 2017. The search has increased on Amazon from 40% to 49% in 5 years. It has also been seen as a trend that “50% of all searches will be voice searches by 2020” according to ComScore
Seeing the data we can see that Amazon search has already past google, hence adding more convenience of search with a scan option will be an icing on the cake. It will definitely be a game-changer.
Now let’s see what are the advantages of this scan option are :
- Compare Price – Now you can scan a product from other e-commerce platforms like a Myntra or a Flipkart and compare and then buy. I know you can compare manually too but this just saves time. It scans without a bar-code as well. it just gives an instant comparison.
- Scan offline products on the go – I am sure you must have faced it, you like something your friend is wearing like an earring or a t-shirt and urged you also had one. You inquired with your friend and got to know that he/she bought it from an offline store. Now either go head hunting to find it or just let it be. These features just eliminate all your alternate methods of hunting and bring it down to just a click of a button.
- Show similar products – What if you are searching and find a similar product with better features and pricing. You get to see similar products in a similar price range. It just spoils you for choices.
So it’s not just Amazon. Paytm mall, Flipkart & many more also initiating similar models where they can have an OTO (Offline to Online Model). A lot of e-commerce companies are betting on offline stores.
E-commerce Offline Journey
- Amazon picked up a 5% stake in Shoppers Stop for Rs. 179.26 crore.
- Amazon picked up a 49% stake in Aditya Birla Retail Ltd. More Outlets
- Google & Paytm Mall is planning to pick up a 7-10% stake in Future Retail for Rs. 3500-4000 Crore.
- Myntra, Urban ladder & Pepperfry are also planning to venture in the offline world.
My Last Thoughts
As all the e-commerce industry are slowly clawing in the offline world and bringing parity in the purchasing experience. The day is not far when the shopping experience will get enhanced with an image scanner, a barcode scanner, and a lot of other features coming in the future.
Increase in penetration of Alexa & google home, we will soon see voice search growing more and more. It will somehow connect to brick and mortar stores.
It will be interesting to watch events unfold as Amazon search continues to evolve in its search and hence changing the way we live, interact, and shop.
Sources
nice
Excellent