10 Best Free Shopping Apps UK 2023

The popularity of online shopping has only raised a notch higher with passing time all across the world and UK is no different. Getting everything you need at your door steps in few clicks- who do not want that?

 

The solutions the shopping apps or ecommerce apps, as they are called, provide is innumerable – fashion, lifestyle, grocery, technology, you name it, you have anything you need in front of you in a matter of few hours or days without having to physically going out and buying it.

 

mobile app development

 

Yes, the advantages are exemplary, but there are few dilemmas that often run in customer’s minds before you choose to go for a shopping app. The quality of the goods, the price, best deals, discounts and latest trends, for example. The only thing you can rely on to choose a shopping app is the reviews or blogs like these.

 

Read Also: How To Create an App Like Amazon?

 

However, it is not as easy as it seems to navigate around the world of online shopping.

 

 

Several factors have to be born in mind, from the quality of the goods to prices and best deals, discounts and latest trends.

 

This article will help you decide on the best websites among free online shopping apps where you can be able to grab the best deals for your needs in UK.

 

In this blog, we have compiled a list of best 10 free online shopping apps in the UK.

 

Amazon ASOS
eBay Urban Outfitters
AliExpress Zavvi
Marks and Spencer Prezzybox
Very.co.uk Debenhams

 

1. Amazon

 

 

Amazon is one of the most well-known and biggest online market places in the world. Online marketplaces are what you can call a bridge between the seller and the consumer. They don’t have their own inventory. They only serve as a platform where sellers can carry out the processes of product showcasing, payment, order fulfilment, shipment and delivery. In Amazon, third-party sellers can sell their products in place of a percentage of their profits.

 

Amazon has over 350 million products ranging across different categories – books to toys, technology to accessories, fashion and beauty to sports and daily departmental needs. You can undoubtedly call it a one-stop destination for all your needs.
At present, Amazon’s services extend across over 100 countries – with same-day and overnight delivery offers in specific locations. Amazon’s mobile app is easy to use, allowing you to shop without any hassles.

 

amazon -shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • Secure payment system
  • Offers best prices and deals.
  • Provides price comparisons, personalized ads, discounts and sale
  • Incomparable global brand value that is a result of trust and user satisfaction
  • The global brand value it has cannot be compared with other sites. It is based on trust and user satisfaction.Check in their website here

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

Read Also: How to Create a Successful Retail App Like Walmart.

2. ASOS

Fashion tops the list of the categories with the most purchase in online shopping. Users get all brands and a variety of associated items – clothes, shoes, bags, apparel, accessories all at one place and who would not like to make use of this advantage?

 

ASOS is a very popular fashion shopping app in the UK that gives users access to 850 brands and over 85000 products across different categories – clothing, makeup, shoes and accessories.Check it out here

 

It is the best destination you can look for trendy fashion products. The free shipping and return options are a bonus. Other features that allow users to take a picture or upload pictures to look for similar products make ASOS a favourite among users.

The services of ASOS currently extend to over 240 countries around the world and support all popular payment methods, like PayPal, Google Pay, Apple, etc.

 

ASOS -shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • High-quality products that range from women and men’s wear to footwear, accessories, jewellery and beauty products
  • Ships to over 240 countries.
  • Products include in house fashion brands.
  • Fast shipping

 

3. eBay

 

eBay is another global online marketing place, like Amazon, that is popular for selling second hand goods and products by small businesses. Like its counterparts, eBay sells a variety of products – clothes, electronics, cars, collectibles and more.

 

eBay does not have an inventory of its own, but allows third party sellers to sell showcase their products, sell them, receive transactions, ship and deliver using the platform.

 

The latest features of eBay include the following:

  •  Videos – where users can add videos to storefront and listings to better introduce your product and convey the story behind it to the buyers.
  • Email newsletters and promotional tools – sellers can send newsletters to existing as well as potential customers and can include offers, deals and coupons. The analytical tools that come with it allow sellers to analyse the success of their email campaigns.eBay - shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • Best place to sell second-hand products. The platform checks and verifies the goods before putting them up for sale
  • Serves several consumers with the different budget criteria
  • Videos, email newsletters and other tools for promotion.
  • Over 114 million users in more than 150 countries.

You can find more details and the website here

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

Read Also: How to Create an App Like Walmart

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

 

4. Urban Outfitters

 

Urban Outfitters is a fashion and home and lifestyle shopping app that is popular among the British. They have over 100 stores around the world, including UK.

 

Like any other ecommerce app, Urban Outfitters features a wide variety of products from many renowned brands, which include clothes, apparels, accessories, home décor and more. All you have to do is to choose the product you need, add them to the cart and purchase. Link to the website.

 

urban -shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • Allows return and exchange of items of the store through post or by walking into the store.
  • Provides student discount of 10%, making the app popular among students
  • Collection of trendy products

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

5. AliExpress

 

AliExpress – the online retail business that started in China now ships across over 200 countries around the globe. It features a variety of products – fashion accessories, toys, electronics, etc. that are available in budget-friendly and competitive prices.

 

The products undergo quality check and verification before they are put up for sale to ensure that customers are not subjected to fraud. Most products even have an extra warranty.

 

Ali Express -shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • International shipping.
  • Buyer protection program to save customers from buying cheap and fraudulent products
  • App available in five languages with shipping to over 200 countries
  • The added advantage with this website is that it has five languages with its shipping available to over 200 countries. Head over to the website.

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

6. Zavvi

 

ZZavvi is the shopping app for gaming and movie freaks in the UK. You can find DVD, merchandise, movies and related technology in the app for purchase.

 

Zavvi provides discounts to students and keyworkers. There is also a “refer a friend” option that provides rewards. The Red Card Membership feature it provides – with plans for 3, 6 and 12 months, allows free delivery across the UK, early access to new releases and also access to member-exclusive products, special offers and competitions. Link to Zavvi.

 

zavvi

 

Features
  • Gaming shoes and clothes among merchandise
  • Offers VIP club service, which can add points and help earn rewards too
  • Order tracking and return features.

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

7. Marks and Spencer

 

Marks & Spencer is an online retail app that is quite popular in the UK. The store was established in 1884 and it turned digital in 2016. What makes it unique is that you can get anything and everything for both kids and adults in the app with a few clicks – beauty and lifestyle products, food, wine, departmental items, home ware, you name it.

 

Marks & Spencer features both in-house products as well as those from other brands. Like any other ecommerce app, this app also has delivery tracking and return and refunds option.

 

mark spencer

 

Features
  • Online and store options are available
  • M&S bank offers several deals and options for buyers of this brand

For further details, click here.

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

8. Prezzybox

 

Prezzybox is a family-run online gift shop, with its app being popular among people in the UK for its personalized gifts and gadgets. You can choose a gift and customize it according to how you want it to look.

 

You can find suitable gifts for every occasion and purpose in the app. Go to the website here.

 

Prezzybox

 

Features
  • Gifts and presents for all occasions- both festive and personal
  • Adds a personal feel to the gifts as per customer’s suggestions
  • One can be able to find gifts for every occasion and purpose.
  • Fast delivery

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

9. Very.co.uk

 

Very.co.uk is another online marketplace that is a favourite of fashion enthusiasts. Find products of all kinds – clothing, accessories, toys, sports items, tools for gardening, home décor and more in the app. There is also a collection of products from renowned designer brands, such as Versace and Moschino.

 

The optional insurance feature – Very Protect helps users gain extra product protection apart from the manufacturer’s warranty. The app also provides Very credit card that comes with plenty of offers.

 

MyVery - shopping apps uk

 

Features
  • Own line of products with quality and style
  • Offers protection for the purchases of consumers in case of any damage or cheap products
  • Pay later option that allows delay of payment up to a year.

Go to the website.

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

10. Debenhams

 

Debenhams is a well-known department store in the UK that was founded in 1778. The store had undergone different changes with time, the latest being digital transformation with the online store introduced in 2021.

 

You can find any products, related to fashion, beauty and home in the Debenhams app. Debenhams has its own go-to high street fashion brands that is a result of the ‘Designers at Debenhams’ launched in 1993 – a venture that many designers are part of.

 

Debenhams

 

Features
  • Well-known for fashion merchandise along with other range of products
  • Option of click and collect for free
  • Students Beans – with 10% discount for students

You can go to the website by clicking here.

 

Download : Android, iOS

 

Read Also: 20 Best Online Grocery Shopping Apps For Android & iOS

 

The list does not end here. These shopping apps are boon to business owners – especially small businesses. It gives them the opportunity to showcase their products to the world.

 

There is no such thing as a specific time to shop with these free shopping apps available in the UK. You can choose the products you like, that are within your budget, add to the cart/basket and pay and you will have them delivered at your doorstep. There are no boundaries, no time limits, plenty of offers, deals and discounts – what more do the shopaholic in you need?

Conclusion

 

Given the best free apps for online shopping in UK, there is nothing such of a special time to shop. With availability and discounts all round the clock, you have no boundaries if you are shopping freak.

 

mobile app development

 

However, in case you are a shopaholic, then best deals and offers are generally available and grabbed during periods of black Friday sales, Boxing Day and Cyber Monday.

How to Create a Successful Retail App Like Walmart

Anyone who has ever shopped at Walmart knows how big the stores are and the deals they offer on every item. Shoppers are guaranteed good deals and savings at Walmart.

 

Consider this – Walmart has more than 7 million items for sale. Like every retailer, Walmart is trying to make it easier for its employees and customers to find what they need in a quick and convenient manner.

 

 

Therefore, to take the shopping experience to the next level, what new additions did the retailer make that has the market abuzz?

 

eBook

 

  • Pharmacy – easy refills, no lines and the entire transaction takes just minutes

 

  • Money Services – no extra paperwork, save time by going through the express lane with money already loaded in the wallet

 

  • Express Lane services (yet to be introduced)

 

  • E-Receipts

 

Read Also: How to Create An App Like Amazon?

 

Walmart introduced these features upon customer requests with an intent to offering a “personal assistant” who makes finding items and deals super easy.

 

Retail App use hasn’t been made available in every store and is expected to happen soon. The introduction of such capabilities makes Walmart the “go-to” store.  Even Walmart is investing a lot of money so that it can transform its business model and remain competitive.

 

The company’s emphasis is on streamlining the entire shopping process, especially since customers can buy everything under one roof.

 

Even a company like Walmart is trying to incorporate changes in the marketplace to enhance customer experiences by introducing new features periodically.

 

Retail mobile app play a critical role in bridging the gap between physical and digital commerce. Not only do they facilitate convenient and fast buying, mobile apps are also fast transforming into vital platforms for interaction between retailers and customers.

 

Walmart’s current e-commerce sales graph for the US market shows:

 

 

However, in spite of the slight dip in the trend, the market for Walmart’s e-commerce business is picking up in 2019 again. In fact, experts project a staggering 25.8% of Walmart’s entire business to be generated through e-commerce in the United States by 2022.

 

 

Considering that shopping with apps has touched 57% in 2018, it is absolutely evident that customers will continue to use this method even in the coming days. As a retailer, if you want to create a retail app which is as successful as Walmart’s, this is what you need to get done.

 

Features to Incorporate:

 

  • Availability of Items along with Stock Count:

 

This feature informs shoppers whether a specific item is available for purchase and how many are currently in stock. If a specific item is sold out, then the likely availability date should be mentioned along with a reminder to purchase when there is enough inventory in stock.

 

  • Price Check:

 

This feature lets customers check the current selling price and do comparison shopping. This a key feature that is must have for any ecommerce app development.

 

  • Other Product Information:

 

Including customer reviews have proven to be quite useful and motivates customer buying. Including recipes or new use ideas additionally boosts customer interest.

 

  • Similar Products:

 

If customers can look at similar products and their functions, they will definitely buy what they want. This will cut down on item returns and assist in streamlining the management of returned merchandise.

 

  • Previews:

 

With growing AR use and 3D modeling, companies which offer product previews and features stand a better chance of selling any product. This is especially true in the case of clothing and electronic items where customers like to take a closer look before making the final purchase decision.

 

  • Geo-Location:

 

This feature works well if a customer is going shopping to a specific store. Use this effectively to promote sales with offers, deals on product combinations and loyalty programs as well. Include store maps so that these products can be located easily by the customer.

 

  • Multiple Payment Gateways:

 

Offering customers a choice of payment methods will boost app use. Whether it is Apple Pay, Braintree, PayPal, Google Pay or some method popular in a specific country, redirecting shoppers to specific pages for their convenience will ensure higher sales.

 

  • QR Codes:

 

This feature is now being used by many companies to get information on products and their prices. By using their phone to scan this code, customers can get other information like buying trends, reviews and discounts.

 

  • Product Finder:

 

This feature must be included so that customers are quick to find exactly what they need. Adding it to the smart search feature will let customers find a product based on size, colour and any are filtering – criteria that may be applicable to the specific product search. It saves time because there is no need to scroll through an entire catalogue, mindlessly.

 

Read Also: 10 Best Shopping Apps UK 2019

 

Closing Thoughts:

 

The Walmart online business model acts as the benchmark for retailers when developing their individual ecommerce apps. They exactly know which key features are useful to in order to generate business and streamline searches.

 

If a customer must spend a lot of time searching for deals at their favourite retailer, they are bound to give up and find the same product elsewhere, if search consumers a lot of their precious time.

 

 

Simplicity and convenience are essential for a seamless shopping experience. Spending time upfront to integrate a retail app with inventory and payment methods will play a key role in staying competitive.

 

Whether app development is done in-house or outsourced, look at what the competition is doing right. This will offer a great roadmap to getting the formula right, and ultimately paving the way to success.

 

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