Platform bridges in-store, online shopping space

"As mobile and online shopping continue to explode, so has the volume and inconsistent quality of shopping tools, leaving consumers feeling overwhelmed with the glut of information they have to sort through to find the products they desire," said Norman Fong, Co-Founder and CEO of BuyVia. "People spend hours sorting through a large number of review, e-commerce, coupon and deal sites. And even when they find deals for the products they want, they really don't know if they've actually found the best product and value combination out there. BuyVia is not limited by hidden relationships and we provide a free, concierge-like app and website that does all the searching and vetting you'd normally have to do online or by visiting stores. We've made smart shopping transparent, easy, and painless."

BuyVia works across mobile and online platforms and is cloud-based; it works by learning consumer preferences and then sifting through the retail madness to find the best deals, product information and store locations for shoppers. Shoppers simply sync their online and in-store search histories to update the app, helping them make future purchasing decisions as well.

While the app is shopper-based, having a simpler way to find good deals and make purchasing decisions will enhance the overall shopping experience. A shopper might remember the deal Retailer A had for new Windows 8 operating systems, for example, and return to that store for follow-up accessory purchases.

Partner brands including HP, PriceGrabber, Dell, Amazon and Sony have already signed on to help BuyVia create shopper's lists.

Tags: 2012 holiday trends, BuyVia, ecommerce platforms, ecommerce trends