These days brands and retailers are constantly rolling out mobile applications to keep up with tech-savvy consumers. However, only a slight few have really stepped up their game and incorporated the key features needed to have users coming back.

SAN DIEGO – A HauteLook executive at the Mobile Shopping Spring Summit said that marketers looking to delve into the mobile space should think mobile-first and constantly measure everything to better reach their target consumer.

Specialty health and wellness retailer GNC has upgraded its iPhone and Android applications to create a better mobile experience for its tech-savvy consumers.

Ticketmaster is keeping event goers in the know with a new iPhone application that lets them browse and search for concerts and games in their area.

Not only does voice-activated search unencumber users from crowded screens, but it disintermediates information from the process of retrieving it, thus providing better search results.

More than 12 percent of traffic to retailers’ and other marketers’ Web sites now come from mobile devices, according to a new report from Walker Sands Communications.

Clothing retailer Express is using in-store QR codes to increase its application downloads and bolster its social media following.

Doughnuts franchise Krispy Kreme is letting users track down the nearest location to find their favorite breakfast sweets via a new mobile application.

This holiday season, brands and marketers are stepping up their mobile application efforts. After skyrocketing mobile sales this Black Friday and Cyber Monday, retailers are starting to understand that mobile shopping apps are crucial to holiday mobile efforts.

Outdoor apparel and accessories retailer REI is using an augmented reality application to let consumers win prizes and drive in-store traffic to its new New York location.