Best Buy revamps consumer app with AI, video
Best Buy Co. Inc. is rolling out a number of new features for its consumer app in the coming weeks.
The consumer electronics giant is adding to the targeted offerings on its app for participants in the My Best Buy Plus and My Best Buy Plus paid membership programs, including exclusive member deals and personalized offers. Paid members will also receive push notifications to alert them on relevant deals.
Other new Best Buy app features include:
Artificial intelligence
The app home screen will be powered by AI and will deliver a distinct shopping experience based on consumer interests and shopping behavior. This means each customer’s app home screen will look different, because it’s based on their personal preferences and other factors like shopping history and membership status.
For example, if an app user recently bought appliances that need installation, they will see where their product is and when installation is scheduled. Other examples include the newest and hottest deals in preferred product categories, latest gadgets from favorite brands, and recommendations on products or services.
The revamped, AI-enabled app also includes features like limited-time Best Buy Drops mobile deals, as well as the “Yes, Best Buy Sells That” product discovery tool and a new solution called "Shop with Videos" that delivers personalized video content on specific items that interest a customer.
Omnichannel order tracking
In addition, the app can now guide iPhone customers along their shopping journey. This feature displays live tracking progress on their iPhone lock screen and in the little black oval they might find at the top of the phone screen.
Customers can use this iPhone app feature when picking up an order from a Best Buy store, and the retailer plans to soon add more real-time shopping updates.
Digital wallet
A new digital wallet feature securely stores app user payment information for easier transacting and serves as a “one-stop-shop” to see offers, reward points, purchase history, receipt preferences, and more.
In the coming weeks, Best Buy will also launch a feature that will let customers check in at stores, use membership benefits and access rewards through a single QR code. Eventually, the retailer will roll out the ability to pay with this same feature.
App users can also save information like their “home store” on the app.
"These enhancements to our app are further examples of how we’re continuing to leverage data and technology to personalize and humanize consumer electronics like nobody else can," said Brian Tilzer, chief data, analytics and technology officer at Best Buy. "Our customers have unique needs and preferences, and our goal is to inspire discovery of amazing new technology and ensure it truly enriches their lives, all in the most relevant, seamless way possible."
Based in Minneapolis, Best Buy Co. Inc. operates more than 1,000 retail stores in North America.