Through the app, consumers have 24/7 access to the flash sales. The application is available for free download in Apple’s App Store.

“I think companies need a mobile presence because many of their customers are coming to them from a mobile device,” said Neil Strother, Kirkland, WA-based practice director of mobile marketing strategies and mobile services at ABI Research.

“You also have to know what your mobile customer looks like,” he said. “There’s a growing percentage of people accessing retailers on their mobile device.

“It’s incumbent for retailers to have a mobile commerce presence.”

Mr. Strother did not develop the ideeli application. He is a third-party analyst commenting based on his expertise on mobile applications.

Ideeli did not respond to press inquiries.

Ideeli is a members-only community that lets consumers shop must-have brands from the worlds of fashion, home, and beauty at up to 80 percent off.

Mobile shopping
Via the app, consumers can shop apparel, accessories, kids’, home and beauty brands.

Customers can browse and buy on the go and preview upcoming sales, as well as set reminder alerts via iCal.

Consumers can buy products via their smartphone

Additionally, for those consumers who are not members of ideeli, they can sign up to become a member via the app.

New brands are featured each day in sales starting at 12 midnight EST.

Consumers can read product descriptions

“If you don’t do an app on a tablet, you can get away for a while with just your regular site, but if you want to target those even further, a tablet-focused app makes sense,” Mr. Strother said.

“Tablets are not quite as mobile, they’re clearly not portable,” he said.