Zappos.com has launched a mobile app for Android, allowing customers to shop its full catalog of handbags, shoes and clothes via their mobile devices.

The company relied on customer feedback to tailor the Zappos.com shopping experience to the mobile platform. This is the first version of the Android mobile app, joining the Zappos iPad and iPhone apps.

“We want to be where our customers are and we listen to what our customers are saying,” said Ian Klassen, mobile program manager at Zappos, Henderson, NV. “We are finding many people want to shop away from their home or office, which makes mobile a valuable asset.”

Zappos.com is a Web site specializing in online apparel and footwear. The company currently stocks products from more than 1,000 clothing and shoe brands.

Shopping, not the same old thing
The commerce-enabled app has all of the shoes, bags and clothes Zappos customers find appealing on the Web site.

As with the Zappos app for iPad and iPhone, customers can use their Android device to shop by categories including shoes, clothing, beauty, bags and handbags, accessories, housewares and new products.

Zappos’ customers can still shop by category on mobile devices

Zappos.com customers also have full access to their existing account information including stored payment types, shipping addresses, favorites and order history.

Zappos looks to customers for input when building its strategy for app development. The company incorporates feedback into the revisions for future releases.

According to a recent study by Berlin-based research2guidance, the Android market will soon surpass the Apple App Store.

In turn, many companies already involved in the mobile app space are making this platform a part of their multichannel retail support strategy.

“Android is one of the fastest growing operating systems in mobile, plus we have a big Android user base at Zappos who were vocal about us developing an app,” Mr. Klassen said

The iOS version of the Zappos mobile app is a shopping app that often receives a four-star average customer rating. Maybe the Android app will have the same success.

Making transition from online to mobile
Consumers are using several methods when it comes to shopping, even connecting their PC devices on the go through Wi-Fi at various establishments.

For on-the-go convenience, consumers are looking to their mobile devices for the same impact.

Users are getting a similar PC shopping experience

“Mobile is the norm, how many times have you noticed someone walking into a store to buy something, pull out their mobile phone, shop online, and then walk out of the store without buying anything,” Mr. Klassen said.

“A mobile presence is the norm [rather] than the exception, especially when people are offered great innovative shopping experiences online,” he said.

Final Take
Mackenzie Allison is associate reporter at Mobile Commerce Daily