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Initial Concept of a Mobile Application.

MAD210-200

Jasmine Kaur

A00193413

Professor- Reena Verma

Assignment Due Date: May, 18, 2024

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Title: Initial concept design of an e-commerce mobile application.

Project Scope:

The goal of this project is to build mobile application called Grocery Partner which will provide

the users capability to create shopping lists, locate local stores, and purchase groceries online.

It will also deliver the customer with a one-stop-shopping experience where all of the features

like barcode scanning, special offers and time tracking would be integrated into the process.

Type of Application:

Grocery Partner will be a native mobile application would be designed to operate on both

Apple’s iOS and Google’s Android platforms. By having features for specific activities of the

mobile phones like GPS for locating the position, push messaging for reminders, and camera

integration for barcode scanning.

Category & Technologies to be Used:

Grocery Partner belongs to the e-commerce category. This category includes applications that

facilitate online transactions, primarily purchasing goods and services. The chosen technology

stack includes:

1. Mobile App Development Frameworks: Cross-platform development with React

Native or Flutter that will enable developers to produce a single codebase that can run

on both Android and iOS.

2. Backend Systems: Node. js with Express. js or Firebase for the creation of scalable

and fast back-end operations, which involve, for example, real-time database

management, and user authentication.

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3. Database: MongoDB, a NoSQL database, for flexibility and scalability and

PostgreSQL, a SQL database for complex queries and data integrity.

4. APIs and Integrations: Payment gateways such as Stripe and PayPal for secure online

transactions, Google Maps API for store locators and deliveries, and ZXing for easy

product additions using the barcode scanning APIs.

5. Cloud Services: AWS/GCP for scalable framework and cutting-edge services like AI

that enable personalized recommendations.

6. Security Technologies: OAuth 2.0, JWT, SSL or TLS for secure end-user

authentication, authorization, and encrypted data transmission.

Why Use This Technology:

1. Cross-Platform Development: Native and Flutter frameworks decrease development

time while keeping up with native performance.

2. Scalability and Performance: Node.js on firebase, AWS, and GCP cost-efficiently

handle scale with high concurrency and large volumes of data.

3. Improved Functionality: Integration with the platform APIs for payment gateways,

location services, and barcode scanning provides a remarkable set of tools.

4. Security: Developing a security system that guarantees user information privacy, and

compliance respectively.
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Functionalities:

1. User Registration/Login: Let customers create their own accounts or sign in with the

ones they have installed previously.

2. Making Shopping Lists: Users can do shopping by adding products to lists which

involve physical input and voice input.

3. Product Search: Incorporate a search tool that will help users search for and locate

particular products in the database.

4. Store Locator: This tool relies on a GPS-driven method that shows groceries stores in

the almost vicinity and provide the groceries.

5. Online shopping: Enable your users to keep their payment operations safe through the

app.

6. Order Tracking: Provide real-time tracking of products from installation to delivery.

7. Personalized Recommendations: Make personal product recommendations following

previous purchases and taking into account/considering user personalization.

8. Promotions and Discounts: Inform the customers about the offerings of the stores that

are participating by sharing with them all ongoing promotions, discounts and deals in

the market.

9. Payment Gateway Integration: Digital wallet, credit/debit cards, and cash on

delivery (COD) are options for making multiple payments.

10. Shopping cart: In the first place, add the products to your shopping basket, later

change the quantity, and subsequently pay safely at the checkout.

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Market Survey Analysis

1. Instacart:

• Features: Online shopping and delivery, scheduled delivery, real-time order

tracking, product recommendations.

• Target Audience: Busy professionals, families, and convenience seekers.

• User reviews: Most reviews are positive about the easy-to-use interface and good

delivery, but there are complaints about the price and occasional delivery errors.

2. Shipt:

• Features: Same day delivery, subscription model, customer information, and

multiple store links.

• Target Audience: Users who want a unique shopping experience with same-day

delivery.

• User Reviews: High ratings for customer service and reliability, but some users

complain about subscription fees.

3. Walmart Grocery

• Features: In-store pickup and delivery options, integration with Walmart's online

store, and easy reordering of previous purchases.

• Target Audience: Walmart shoppers, financially savvy shoppers.

• User reviews: Reviews are positive about price and availability, but reviews about

app performance and delivery times are mixed.

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4. Amazon Fresh

• Features: fresh food delivery, integration with Amazon Prime, wide selection of

products, Alexa voice shopping.

• Target Audience: Amazon Prime members, tech-savvy consumers.

• User reviews: Users appreciate the availability and variety of products, but some

express concern about availability in certain regions and inconsistent delivery

quality.

5. Kroger

• Features: Online ordering, delivery and pickup, digital coupons, loyalty program

integration.

• Target audience: Kroger shoppers and job seekers.

• User feedback: Customers like the loyalty program and access to digital coupons
but sometimes report issues with app usability and order accuracy.

Competitive Analysis and Differentiation

1. Personalization and Built-in AI:

• Grocery Partner's Edge: AI of the next generation for making shopping lists, planning

meals and meal suggestions based on the user's taste and previous purchases. It allows

us to create a more accurate picture instead of competitors' universalized approaches.

• Advantage: Adapt to individual needs and desires, increase user satisfaction, and

encourage reuse.
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2. Social and Community Features:

• Grocery Partner's Edge: Includes social features like recipe sharing, community

reviews, and peer recommendations that don't appear in most apps.

• Advantage: Builds a community and makes the app more than just a marketing

tool.

3. A Multi-Store Shopping Experience

• Grocery Partner's Edge: Compare prices and products from multiple stores in

real-time and create integrated shopping lists.

• Advantage: Provides users with greater flexibility and potential cost savings,

where most applications are tied to single-chain stores.

4. Enhanced User Interface and Experience

• Grocery Partner's Edge: Emphasise a very simple interface focused on easy

navigation, quick access to frequently used features, and advanced search

capabilities.

• Advantage: Improved usability and user retention. This is especially important

for busy users who want to feel comfortable.

5. Sustainability Features

• Grocery Partner's Edge: Features like carbon footprint tracking of purchased

items, suggestions for eco-friendly alternatives, and information on local and

organic products.

• Advantage: Appeals to environmentally conscious consumers, a growing market

segment, set the app apart from competitors focused mainly on convenience.
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Conclusion:

Grocery Buddy aims to create a niche in the grocery app market by focusing on customization,

community engagement, multi-store availability, great user experience, and stability. By

focusing on these specific areas where existing apps are lacking or underserved, Grocery

Buddy can attract a diverse and loyal user base and use its unique features to compete directly

with established players.

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References

• Instacart: Retrieved from https://www.instacart.com/convenience-store-delivery

• Walmart Grocery: Retrieved from https://www.walmart.com/

• Shipt: Retrieved from https://www.shipt.com/

• Amazon Fresh: Retrieved from

https://www.amazon.com/alm/storefront?almBrandId=QW1hem9uIEZyZXNo

• Kroger: Retrieved from https://www.kroger.com/

• App Store and Google Play Store reviews and ratings

• Industry reports on e-commerce and grocery shopping trends

• Online reviews from technology news platforms and consumer forums