Innovations for online stores, social media and mobile technology enable customers to search, browse and purchase items from devices during all hours of the day. Because technology has created a population of on-demand consumers, new retailers should be aware of their digital options when deciding how best to offer their products and services to consumers.

ABC reported one way retailers can reach on-the-go consumers is by developing a mobile application that offers products or information on smartphones and tablets. Through the deployment of mobile applications, retailers can present their products, offer customer reviews, collect feedback and even enable purchasing from mobile devices.

Shoes of Prey uses apps to enhance the online store experience for shoppers. The company’s mobile app creates a 3-D image of a shoe that customers are able to customise. Using the app, customers could adjust a shoe’s heel size, fabric and toe structure on their mobile devices before purchasing.

As the technology becomes more widespread, etailers of all sizes will be able to take advantage of mobile apps. Bizelo, a mobile apps company with small business customers in Australia, New Zealand, the U.K., Mexico and other countries recently launched an inventory management and sync program for its retailer consumer base. The application supports online store platforms, allowing online retailers to manage their inventory, sell their items across multiple stores and through multiple warehouses from a single program. The system is a cloud-based application and can be accessed from any device. The tool helps retailers keep track of their business, while freeing up IT expenditures.