E352:🎙️BRINGING SHARED SHOPPING EXPERIENCES TO ECOMMERCE | KIM LOWERT - APPSTRACT

Revolutionizing Group Shopping: An Interview with Appstract's CEO, Kim Lowert

In this episode of the eCommerce Edge podcast, we had the pleasure of chatting with Kim Lowert, the founder and CEO of Appstract. Appstract is a unique Shopify plugin that enhances the group shopping experience by allowing multiple people to shop for a single recipient. This app not only facilitates shared shopping carts but also enables buyers to communicate in real-time on the eCommerce website. Additionally, shared payment functionality is coming soon. We discussed the future of shared shopping and how this technology can transform the gifting landscape.

A New Era of Gift Giving

Appstract is changing how we think about buying gifts. Traditionally, group gifts require a lot of coordination—texts, emails, and sometimes even spreadsheets. Appstract aims to bring all those pieces together in one seamless experience. The app lets multiple shoppers add to a single cart and communicate directly on the store's site. This removes the need for external messaging apps and keeps everyone on the same page.

Kim's Journey into eCommerce

Kim's journey into eCommerce began with his consultancy business in 2008. Over the years, he worked on various projects, including corporate websites and digital self-service solutions. His deep understanding of eCommerce, particularly in B2B settings, eventually led him to create Appstract. Kim realized that while personalization has been the focus for the past decade, the core online shopping experience hasn't changed much at all.

Creating Appstract: The Inspiration

The idea for Appstract came from Kim's frustration with the fragmented nature of group shopping. Whether it was buying groceries for a work team or coordinating gifts with friends, the process was cumbersome and inefficient. Kim thought, "Why not bring social aspects of shopping into the store itself?" This led to the creation of an app that allows users to collaborate on purchases in real-time, right on the eCommerce site.

How Appstract Works

Appstract's primary feature is its shared shopping cart. Users can invite others to join their shopping experience via email, link, or other messaging platforms. Each participant can add items to the cart, and everyone can see the updates in real-time. Once the group is satisfied with their selections, anyone can check out. Appstract is also working on adding a shared payment feature, which will allow the total cost to be split among the participants.

Integration with eCommerce Platforms

While Appstract is primarily designed for Shopify, it can be adapted to other platforms like WooCommerce and even custom-built stores. The integration process is straightforward, involving a simple JavaScript snippet that can be added to any eCommerce site. This flexibility makes it a valuable tool for various online stores, regardless of their backend setup.

User Experience and Technical Details

Appstract aims to provide a frictionless shopping experience. The app works within the store's UI, resembling a chat window where group members can discuss and add items to the cart. Each user has their own cart, which gets synchronized across all participants. Notifications keep everyone updated, whether via email, push notifications or SMS.

The app's ability to handle multiple shopping experiences simultaneously sets it apart. Users can switch between different group carts, making it easy to manage multiple group purchases or compare different configurations for complex products like computers.

Future Plans

Appstract is just getting started. The team is focused on enhancing notification features to drive more traffic back to the store. They are also working on adding wish list functionalities and enabling stores to push promotional messages directly to the chat. Another significant focus is on creating more engaging UI elements that allow users to compare items and vote on purchases.

Challenges in eCommerce

Kim asked what I see as the three biggest challenges in eCommerce for 2024. Here's my take:

1. Maintaining Investment in Uncertain Markets: Brands need to continue investing despite economic uncertainties. Pulling back can lead to lost opportunities.

2. Channel Diversification: Relying too heavily on one or two sales or marketing channels is risky. Brands need to diversify to ensure stability.

3. Differentiation: Being a me-too retailer doesn't cut it anymore. Brands need unique products or exclusive lines to stand out and avoid a price race to the bottom.

Conclusion

Appstract is revolutionizing the group shopping experience, making it easier and more enjoyable to buy gifts together. Kim Lowert's vision is creating new opportunities for eCommerce stores to engage their customers and drive more sales. As the app continues to evolve, it promises to bring even more exciting features to the world of online shopping.

To learn more, check out the related THE ECOMMERCE EDGE Podcast episode below: