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Amazon launches mobile price-comparison engine that threatens store retailers

November 23, 2010

Amazon is letting consumers compare in-store prices with those from Amazon.com and other online merchants via an iPhone application that poses a threat to store retailers.

The Price Check application lets consumers search across different categories including toys and consumer electronics. Customers can scan a bar code, snap a picture or say or type a product name to receive instant prices for that particular item.

Amazon.com offers millions of new, refurbished and used items in categories such as books, movies, music and games, digital downloads, electronics, home and apparel.

Mobile price
Users can scan a bar code and get prices from Amazon.com and other online retailers.

After scanning the bar code, the application displays prices sorted from lowest to highest.

In addition, consumers can take a picture of a product and match it to books, DVDs, CDs and video games.

Users who do not want to scan a bar code or take a picture can say the name of the product and get matches and pricing information or they can search the product and get the same results.

Consumers can compare prices

Consumers can share their findings

Consumers can instantly buy products

Right at your doorstep
After finding the product they need, consumers can buy it with one click and have it delivered directly to their doorstep.

Additionally, the application includes access to Amazon’s shopping features, including customer reviews, sharing items via Twitter, Facebook, SMS or email and immediate purchasing.

Rimma Kats is associate editor on Mobile Commerce Daily and Mobile Marketer. Reach her at rimma@mobilemarketer.com.