Steps to Build a Retail App & Future Development Trends

Retail mobile apps are truly game changers. They allow businesses to transform into multi-million-dollar empires without the need to invest in physical stores across multiple locations. With retail app development, businesses can bring their offerings directly to customers’ fingertips.

Global retail sales are expected to reach $32.4 trillion in 2025, marking a significant milestone in the industry. While growth rates may be slowing slightly, this is the first time retail sales are projected to surpass the $30 trillion mark—a testament to the increasing consumer demand for convenient shopping solutions, particularly through retail shopping apps.

The Power of Retail Shopping Apps

Retail applications allow businesses to connect with their customers on a deeper level. Whether it’s through personalized recommendations, loyalty rewards, or exclusive deals, these apps make shopping easier and more engaging. Apps for retailers play a crucial role in customer acquisition and retention, offering convenience for modern shoppers.

Businesses using retail shopping apps have a competitive edge, reaching customers anytime, anywhere. Whether it’s a native app or a hybrid solution, having a mobile presence is essential for staying ahead in today’s digital-first retail landscape.

Global Retail Sales: Key Statistics

• 2025 Projections: Total retail sales worldwide are predicted to hit $32.4 trillion.

• Milestone Achievement: This is the first time retail sales will surpass the $30 trillion mark, doubling from $15 trillion in 2011 within just 13 years.

• Long-Term Growth: By 2027, global retail sales are expected to reach $34.9 trillion, with an average annual growth rate of 4.8% between 2021 and 2027.

The steady upward trend highlights the growing importance of retail applications in driving consumer spending.

What is a Retail App?

A retail application is a mobile platform designed to help customers browse, purchase, and manage products or services offered by a retailer. These apps enhance the shopping experience by integrating features such as:

• Loyalty programs to encourage repeat purchases.

• Personalized recommendations based on shopping history.

• In-store discounts to drive engagement.

By bridging the gap between digital and physical shopping, retail shopping apps cater to modern consumers who prefer seamless, on-the-go shopping solutions. Businesses often start their journey by developing an MVP (Minimum Viable Product), ensuring that the core functionality is tested and improved based on user feedback.

To explore more, here are some ideas for app development that cater to different retail needs.

Types of Retail Shopping Apps

Understanding the types of apps for retailers is crucial for developing one that aligns with your business goals. Here are some common categories:

1.E-commerce Apps

E-commerce apps serve as digital storefronts, offering a wide range of products and providing features like user reviews and easy navigation. Examples include:

• Amazon: A global leader in online retail with advanced features like personalized recommendations.

• eBay: Known for its auction-style selling and diverse product listings.

2. Marketplace Apps

These apps connect multiple vendors and buyers, offering a wide selection of products:

• Etsy: A hub for handmade and vintage goods.

• Alibaba: Focused on wholesale and bulk purchases for businesses.

3. Loyalty and Rewards Apps

Designed to retain customers by offering exclusive rewards and discounts:

• Starbucks: Combines a rewards program with mobile ordering.

• Sephora: Enhances customer loyalty with personalized beauty tips and rewards.

4. Augmented Reality (AR) Shopping Apps

Leverage AR technology to create an immersive shopping experience:

• IKEA Place: Visualizes furniture in real spaces.

• Sephora Virtual Artist: Allows users to try on makeup virtually.

5. Social Shopping Apps

Integrate shopping with social media for a community-driven experience:

• Instagram Shopping: This lets users buy directly through tagged posts.

• Pinterest: Bridges inspiration and purchase with visual shopping features.

By including features for specific consumer needs, businesses can create retail shopping apps that boost engagement and loyalty.

13 Key Steps to Build a Retail Application

1. Conduct Research and Validate Your Retail App Idea

The foundation of any successful retail application lies in a validated idea. Begin by conducting extensive research to ensure your app addresses a real need in the market. Understanding your target audience is key:

• Who are your customers?

• What challenges do they face while using retail shopping apps?

• How can your app solve their problems better than existing apps for retailers?

By answering these questions, you ensure your app has a strong product-market fit. Dive deeper into competitor analysis to identify gaps in features or services they offer. For instance, brands like Warby Parker conducted surveys and focus groups before launching their app, enabling them to refine features like virtual frame try-ons for eyewear.

This crucial step not only aligns your app with customer needs but also sets it apart from generic retail shopping apps by offering unique, user-centric functionality.

2. Choose the Right Platform

Selecting the platform for your retail shopping app is a critical decision. You can opt for:

• Native apps (iOS or Android): Deliver superior performance and access to platform-specific features but require separate development for each platform.

• Cross-platform frameworks: Save time and resources by using a single codebase compatible with multiple platforms.

Both approaches have their advantages. While native development ensures seamless integration of advanced features, cross-platform solutions like Flutter and React Native are ideal for faster rollouts and reduced costs. Evaluate your app’s feature set and target audience carefully to decide which approach aligns best with your goals.

3. Write a List of Your MVP Retail App Features

An MVP (Minimum Viable Product) retail application focuses on core functionalities that deliver value to users while keeping the development process lean. Identifying the app’s primary purpose is crucial in deciding its MVP features.

Essential features for an MVP retail shopping app include:

• Homescreen: Showcases featured products, top deals, and new arrivals.

• My Account: Allows users to manage personal information, order history, and payment methods.

• Search Bar: Simplifies navigation for products across categories.

• Category Listings: Offers detailed product information by categories, including images, prices, and descriptions.

• Login & Signup: Enables users to create accounts via email or social media.

• Product Details: Provides in-depth information and the option to add items to the cart or wishlist.

For inspiration, Zappos’ initial iOS app (2013) is a great example of an MVP: simple yet effective in meeting the core shopping needs of its users. Starting lean ensures that your retail shopping app delivers a streamlined user experience with the flexibility to add advanced features over time.

4. Determine the App Development Approach

Choosing the right development approach for your retail application is vital to achieving your business goals. The method you select will impact app performance, development time, and user experience. Here are the common approaches:

• Native App Development
  Ideal for creating platform-specific apps (iOS or Android), native development uses platform-specific technologies, ensuring seamless integration with features and optimal performance.

• Cross-Platform App Development
  This approach enables building a single codebase that works across platforms like Android and iOS, saving time and costs. While slight customizations might be needed, cross-platform apps maintain consistent design and user interaction.

• Hybrid Development
  Hybrid apps function like traditional retail shopping apps but operate within web services, accessible through mobile browsers. This method reduces storage requirements and speeds up the development process.

• App Builders
  For startups and small businesses, using no-code or low-code platforms to create apps is an excellent option. These tools provide pre-designed templates and drag-and-drop interfaces, making it easy to launch an MVP quickly and affordably.

For powerful apps for retailers, pairing the right approach with a strong backend tech stack ensures seamless integration, secure data management, and advanced features.

5. Choose a Reliable Online Shopping App Development Company

A reliable app development partner like Hashtechy can significantly influence the success of your retail shopping app. The choice between in-house development or outsourcing depends on your resources and goals.

• In-house Team
  Hiring an internal team ensures close collaboration and alignment with your brand vision. However, it requires long-term investments in salaries, tools, and infrastructure.

• Freelance Developers
  If your project is smaller or budget-limited, hiring freelance developers for cross-platform or native app creation is a cost-effective solution.

• Dedicated Team or Agency
  Outsourcing to a specialized agency allows access to skilled professionals without infrastructure overheads. Experienced teams can provide end-to-end services, from development to deployment, for feature-rich retail shopping apps.

Regardless of the approach, ensure your chosen team has proven expertise in apps for retailers, offering a smooth development process as per your needs.

6. Design Your Retail App

The design of your retail shopping app is critical to its success, as it directly impacts user experience and engagement. You can either DIY or partner with experts to design and develop your app.

• DIY Design
  While cost-effective, DIY may lack the expertise needed for a professional, user-friendly app.

• Professional Design Team
  Collaborating with a mobile app development agency ensures your app is visually appealing, functional, and tailored to your business goals. This team can also handle both prototyping and final design, saving time and effort.

The design process includes:

• Sketches: Initial ideas for layout and design.

• Wireframes: Detailed structural blueprints of app functionality.

• Finished Designs: Polished visuals ready for development.

Prototyping is iterative; gathering and implementing feedback ensures the app meets user needs. For instance, when designing MyDeal’s apps, side-by-side feedback from iOS and Android users helped refine the final product.

By prioritizing UX design, you create an app that is intuitive, easy to navigate, and delivers a seamless shopping experience, setting your retail shopping app apart in the competitive market.

7. Begin the Development Phase

With your design finalized, it’s time to bring your retail app to life. Collaborate with a skilled development team to ensure your app aligns with your business objectives.

Clear communication during this phase is essential. Regular updates and feedback loops help ensure the development process meets your expectations.

Agile Development is often the preferred approach for retail app development, focusing on flexibility and collaboration. Developers work in short sprints, allowing quick adaptations to new trends or consumer needs while delivering results faster.

Key benefits of agile development include:

• Flexibility to adjust timelines and deliverables as needed.

• Frequent feedback cycles to refine features based on evolving requirements.

With the right methodology and team, your app can seamlessly transition from concept to reality.

8. Integrate a Secure Payment Gateway

Ensuring secure transactions is vital for any retail shopping app. Collaborate with trusted payment gateway providers to safeguard sensitive customer information.

Offer multiple payment methods, including:

• Credit and debit cards

• Digital wallets

• Popular local and international payment options

By prioritizing security and variety, you enhance customer trust and improve user satisfaction, making your app the go-to choice for diverse audiences.

9. Prioritize App Security

Security is non-negotiable in app development, as breaches can lead to financial losses and damaged reputations. Strengthen your app’s defense with:

• Data Encryption: Protect sensitive data, including databases, caches, and API communications.

• Verified APIs: Only authorized APIs that meet platform standards are used.

• Strong Authentication: Implement robust key management and secure user session handling.

• Tamper Detection: Add mobile-specific security measures to prevent unauthorized access.

• Regular Testing: Continuously review your code for vulnerabilities throughout development.

By embedding these measures, you build trust with users while protecting their data and your app’s reputation.

10. Conduct Rigorous Testing and Quality Assurance

Testing ensures your app functions seamlessly across various devices and platforms. Comprehensive QA identifies bugs, security flaws, and performance bottlenecks.

Key testing stages include:

• Functionality Testing: Verify that every feature works as intended.

• Compatibility Testing: Ensure smooth operation across different devices and operating systems.

• Security Testing: Detect vulnerabilities and patch them before launch.

• Performance Testing: Evaluate app speed and stability under high traffic.

Deliver a polished and reliable retail shopping app by resolving issues during testing, ensuring a smooth user experience post-launch.

11. Launch and Market Your App

The successful launch of your retail app requires strategic planning and execution to maximize its reach and impact.

• App Store Optimization (ASO): Optimize your app’s listings on the App Store and Google Play with relevant keywords, compelling descriptions, and high-quality visuals to improve discoverability.

• Marketing Strategy: Create a comprehensive plan that includes:

• Social media campaigns to generate buzz
• Content marketing to educate your audience
• Email campaigns to engage existing customers
• Influencer collaborations to expand your reach

By combining ASO with a targeted marketing strategy, you can effectively attract and engage your audience.

12. Post-Launch Support and Continuous Improvement

Launching your app is just the beginning. Ongoing support ensures your app stays relevant and user-friendly.

• User Feedback: Address reviews, bug reports, and feature requests to enhance user satisfaction.

• Analytics Monitoring: Track user behavior to identify popular products, pain points, and opportunities for improvement.

• Regular Updates: Keep the app competitive by rolling out new features, security patches, and performance enhancements.

Consistent post-launch efforts ensure your app evolves with user needs and maintains its position in the retail market.

13. Push New Features and Updates Regularly

• Stay Current: Adapt to changing user preferences and industry trends to keep your app relevant.

• Enhance Experience: Solve bugs, improve compatibility with operating systems, and refine the user experience.

• Communicate Updates: Use in-app notifications, email newsletters, and social media to inform users about new features and encourage engagement.

Regular updates not only increase user satisfaction but also solidify your app’s reputation as an innovative and reliable platform.

Trends Shaping Retail App Development in 2025

Retail app development is evolving rapidly, driven by new technologies and shifting consumer behaviors. Here are the key trends to watch:

1. AI and Machine Learning

• Personalized Shopping: AI analyzes user data to deliver recommendations and experiences.

• Chatbots: AI-powered bots provide instant, personalized customer support and shopping assistance.

2. AR and VR Integration

• Virtual Try-Ons: AR/VR allows users to preview or try products virtually, reducing return rates.

• Immersive Shopping: Features like virtual store walkthroughs and interactive demos boost engagement.

3. Voice Shopping

• Voice Commands: Apps with voice recognition let users search, order, and track purchases hands-free.

4. Blockchain Technology

• Secure Transactions: Enhances data security and transaction transparency.

• Supply Chain Verification: Helps consumers confirm product authenticity and origin.

5. Sustainability Features

• Ethical Shopping: Apps showcase eco-friendly products and ethical practices, appealing to conscious consumers.

6. Social Commerce

• Shopping on Social Platforms: Integrates live shopping, product sharing, and in-app purchases for a seamless social shopping experience.

7. Omnichannel Experiences

• Unified Retailing: Features like in-store availability checks, click-and-collect, and loyalty program integration connect online and offline shopping.

8. Mobile Payments

• Digital Wallets: Supports NFC, QR codes, and crypto payments for secure, flexible transactions.

9. Advanced-Data Analytics

• Consumer Insights: Analytics optimize inventory, personalize marketing, and improve the overall shopping experience.

Conclusion

As we move into 2025, retail app development is evolving to meet the demands of tech-savvy consumers. By integrating AI, AR/VR, and voice shopping, apps are becoming more personalized, engaging, and user-friendly. The rise of blockchain ensures secure transactions, while sustainability and social commerce are aligning brands with conscious consumers. 

Omnichannel experiences and mobile payments are making shopping more seamless and accessible. Finally, advanced data analytics is empowering retailers to make informed decisions, enhancing both customer experience and business efficiency. Staying ahead of these trends will help retailers thrive in a competitive market.