Savvy retailers who expanded their offerings to include e-commerce app options have reaped the benefits of this forethought during the coronavirus outbreak. As the pandemic has driven more shoppers to buy online, retailers who offer e-commerce apps have seen dramatic increases in the number of sales, even as traditional shopping has dropped off precipitously. 

With social distancing and shelter-in-place orders keeping consumers away from brick and mortar stores, shopping apps are being downloaded in record numbers.  Walmart.com reported 6.2 million downloads of their main shopping app and 3.4 million downloads of their grocery app between March 1 and May 18, 2020.  Amazon.com reported an even higher number of downloads,  with 8 million new app downloads during the same period.

The reliance on apps to secure needed groceries and products has translated directly into sales for these retailers. Walmart.com had a 74% increase in e-commerce sales in Q1 of 2020, leading to an estimated $41.01 billion in sales, according to eMarketer. 

Because of the increased reliance on shopping apps and e-commerce, brands need to ensure that the experiences their consumers have with their apps are safe, secure, and authentic. In 2019, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) reported that online purchasing was the most common scam type, representing nearly 1 in 4 complaints. 

Most app platforms employ precautions to try and reduce the number of malicious apps uploaded, but bad actors continue to find ways to bypass these security measures, especially in third-party app stores. Brands must remain proactive and incorporate comprehensive mobile app protection into their overall brand protection and security strategies. 

Every second an infringing app is live, it poses a threat to your customers and to your brand. Mitigating the potential damage that may result from an infringing app requires immediate action on your part and the part of your enforcement team. 

For more information on how to plan an effective mobile app enforcement program to complement your overall mobile strategy, we’ve published an informative guide that you can download here.