Best Buy plugs scan-to-shop search feature into Android app

Best Buy is bringing an interactive spin to the catalog-browsing experience by incorporating visual search technology into its Android mobile application, allowing users to hover their device over any image and make an instant purchase.

The consumer electronics retailer has teamed up with mobile visual search company Slyce to power the new feature, which is now available for Android app users. Shoppers interested in a specific item displayed in the brand’s circular can skip a visit to a Best Buy location to purchase directly on mobile.

“Although we can’t comment on Best Buy’s implementation specifically, providing shoppers with ability to simply hover their mobile device over any product in a circular ad, have that product matched exactly and able to be purchased in just a few taps, takes all the friction from the purchase process and enables shoppers to easily act on impulse,” said Mark Elfenbein, president and CEO of Slyce.

Powering up impromptu purchases Consumers perusing Best Buy’s Sunday circular may be inspired to look more closely at an interesting product. Instead of heading to their desktop devices to search for the item on Best Buy’s Web site, they can reach for their omnipresent smartphones instead.

Then, individuals may leverage Slyce’s scan-to-shop technology to snap a photo of the desired item, which the app will transform into a visual search query. This eliminates the need for app users to manually search for the product and potentially sift through hundreds of related items.

Visual search technology has historically lent itself well to fueling impulse purchases, a major benefit for retailers seeking to maximize their digital sales. Consumers tapping this novelty feature will have less time to second-guess their decisions.

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