Fashion Retail Site Zalora Launches iPhone App to Better Accommodate Mobile Shopping

Mobile commerce is an important component any online store and that fact hasn't been lost on Rocket Internet's Zalora fashion retail site. In recognition of the increasingly mobile behavior of today's online consumers, Zalora has launched a mobile app for iOS devices.

The app has actually been available on the App Store since the 17th of this month but the company did not make an announcement until yesterday. The app allows Zalora customers to receive notifications of flash sales and new arrivals, browse through the store's 15,000 products across 500 brands and make purchases on the go. Customers will also be able to add items to a cart for later purchases and pay using credit card, PayPal, or cash on delivery.

The app, which currently remains iOS only, serves customers in all of the eight countries that Zalora operates in and they can easily switch countries according to their locations. TechCrunch notes that Zalora's decision to launch the app on iOS first despite Android being the prevailing platform in the region is based on internal findings at Zalora. According to the company, its website receives far more traffic from iOS devices than from Android devices. “The iPhone segment is particularly inclined to online shopping with high basket sizes,” according to a statement provided to TechCrunch. Undoubtedly an Android app will also be released but the company has yet to say anything of note. Its establishment of a software development center in Singapore does suggest plans for more software releases.

Zalora's regional managing director Michele Ferrario said in a press statement, "We are confident that mCommerce can help us grow our market share in the online shopping sphere, particularly so in Southeast Asia - A region with an already high mobile penetration and still even more potential for higher mobile reach as its telecommunications infrastructure develops exponentially."

With only less than a year of operations, Zalora is on a rapid growth trajectory having established itself across Southeast Asia, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Its mobile site which was launched in January of this year recently won an award for best m-commerce solution in Singapore.

The company also just announced a reward program as well as same day delivery for select products for its Indonesian customers for deliveries to locations within Jakarta's primary business areas.

To promote the app, Zalora is giving 20% discounts for products purchased through the iOS app and a chance to win an iPad mini.