Amazon launches image-based shopping tool in South Africa
Circle to Search - Available exclusively when uploading images from your device, this feature lets customers draw a circle around specific items when an image contains multiple products, allowing for more precise searching within a busy image.
Image: Supplied.
In a transformative move for online shoppers, Amazon has introduced its innovative visual shopping tool, Amazon Lens, in South Africa.
This cutting-edge feature allows consumers to unleash the power of images in their shopping experience, providing a faster and more intuitive way to search for products online.
From décor to specific components, many shoppers have faced the frustration of finding the right item without knowing its name.
Spot It, Shop It – Turn what you see into what you buy Camera Search allows you to take a photo while you're out and about, watching TV, or reading a magazine. Amazon Lens will find matching or similar products available to purchase.
Image: Supplied.
Amazon Lens addresses this problem directly: customers can now upload images, screenshots, scan barcodes, or even utilise the live camera within the app to search for products effortlessly.
"We continue to innovate to help customers quickly find products without becoming experts in product terminology," said Robert Koen, Managing Director of Amazon Sub-Saharan Africa.
"At Amazon, our AI applications are designed to make customers' lives better and easier."
With tens of millions of users around the globe employing Amazon Lens monthly, the feature is rapidly becoming an essential tool for millions of shoppers.
By simply tapping the Lens icon in the search bar and selecting an image, users can uncover similar products suited to their needs without needing to describe intricate details like colour or shape.
This seamless experience enables customers to sort their results based on price, customer ratings, and delivery options, allowing them to make informed decisions swiftly.
Quick Scan Shopping - Find products instantly with barcode scanning With Barcode Scan, you can compare prices, delivery options, or restock products you’ve already purchased. When you click the Lens icon in the search bar, you’ll find a barcode option that allows you to easily scan any barcode to pull up a product — all without having to type and scroll to find your exact match.
Image: Supplied.
In South Africa, shoppers can take advantage of thousands of items eligible for free standard same-day and next-day delivery on products shipped by Amazon.
For those who prefer a more traditional approach, Amazon offers over 4,300 strategically located pickup points across the country, giving customers the flexibility to collect their packages whenever it suits them, all while ensuring a safe and secure pickup process.
Amazon Lens is now live and accessible through the Amazon Shopping app. With this latest technological advancement, the company is set to revolutionise the online shopping landscape in South Africa, making the process faster, easier, and more personalised than ever before.
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