Each week like clock-work, a flimsy plastic bag full of supermarket circulars inevitably ends up at the front door. You know what I’m talking about. Those bags that pile up with coupons that you trip over Sunday morning. Our clients Vertis Communications and Nash Finch Co. were looking to reduce the psychological and environmental damage of the never-ending stream of shopping circulars when they hired us to create an iPhone application for the Family Fresh Market brand of stores in Wisconsin. *iTunes link

The IWS-developed app has several features — all of which are managed by a custom content management system that allows the market’s supplier to publish specials in real time. Customers who download the app can easily check what’s on offer in the Fresh Meat, Produce, Deli, Fresh Bakery, and Floral aisles whether they’re at home or pushing a shopping cart around the market. With a simple flick of the finger, you can even add these items to a shopping list along with anything else you need to pick up at Family Fresh.

Users also benefit from Well Balanced tips which aim to help make healthy decisions easy. For instance, buying low sodium varieties of canned vegetables and rinsing them thoroughly is a quick way to lower your salt intake.

Creating a branded app like this is an excellent way to offer customers something they can use while also streamlining communication to them. eMarketer claims close to 75 percent of consumers with iPhones use apps. With this trend clearly growing, it’s safe to say that a relevant or entertaining iPhone app could build a stronger connection with your customers.

A recent report from eMarketer shows that having content accessible from mobile devices/networks is becoming increasingly important to end users of these devices. Mobile device manufacturers are challenged with where, how and when their users want to consume content. With the creation of netbooks, e-readers, gaming devices and super intelligent smartphones – users are craving more and more fresh content. Users of smartphone devices surf the Internet 3 times as much as regular mobile phone users.

So what types of content and marketing messages are best suited for delivery on smartphone devices? We can look at what many of the fast-food chains like Qdoba Mexican Grill have done. They have started mobile loyalty programs. Qdoba says they have seen good results from their mobile campaign, they claim an average rate of redemption on their coupons at 16% and as high as 40% in some college locations. Locally, I have noticed this trend as well with Jack in the Box and the Phoenix Suns. Whenever the Phoenix Suns score 99 points or more users who have signed up with the Suns text club can receive 2 free tacos. You could take your ticket from that night’s game into any valley Jack in the Box and redeem them for the free tacos. This is genius. The Suns and JIB (Jack in the Box) have figured out how to not only get more business but to build their customer list. And who doesn’t like free tacos?

Photo: nardell