Tech giant Apple is updating the iOS App Store on Nov. 6 and will introduce a new Shopping category. This new feature will allow iOS users to discover new shopping-related apps.
According to Tech Crunch, the new Shopping category on the iOS App Store will be released worldwide. It will feature apps that spans several channels like price comparison, auctions, product reviews and more. Apps commonly associated with these types of channels were previously listed in the Lifestyle section of the App Store. This makes it difficult to find this apps since they are listed alongside a wide range of apps that are devoted to journals, real estate, dating, smart home applications, nightlight, home improvement and wedding apps.
Now that a new Shopping category is introduced, this could help boost the discoverability and download of apps that devote to mobile shopping. It also has a potential to help large companies like Walmart, Amazon and Groupon to further advertise their business apps. By removing shopping related apps on the Lifestyle section, the launch of the new category will have a huge impact in the rankings of apps.
According to Mac Rumors, the new App Store category will open up a new segment of developers devoted to making shopping apps. One highlighted app is called Save While You Shop. This app offers exclusive discounts from a wide range of merchants like Zappos, Everlane, Groupon and Nordstrom. Users of the app can get a free gift from Nordstrom once they spent at least $100. Users can also take advantage of the free 1-day shipping from Zappos if they use the app.