What Trends Have Made Luxury Apps Stand Out In 2023?

2023 has been a creative year in mobile app development trends, with many brands exploring innovative ways to connect with their customers and offer new experiences through their luxury apps. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at the main trends that have emerged in 2023 – and we can’t wait to see what’s on the horizon for the coming year!

1. Subscriptions And Loyalty Models

Subscriptions make it easy and convenient for consumers to access the content they want the most, on their own terms, and what better way to access this material than through an app they carry around in their pocket on their smartphone? 

2023 has been the year in which luxury apps have fully embraced the subscription and loyalty models that are now prominent across the retail sector. By means of custom-designed mobile applications, consumers can now keep track of loyalty points, rewards, and offers through their app, allowing brands to identify high-value customers and encourage a more personalised engagement model than was possible with traditional e-commerce. Early access incentives and exclusive content can also be incorporated into app-based subscriptions, helping customers feel more valued and appreciated, which enhances brand loyalty and customer retention.

2. Connecting To Values And Storytelling

Luxury apps now serve as more than just online shops and surrogate websites; they also offer a community where customers can connect through shared values and interests. Premium brands are often seen as distant from their target customers, making them difficult to relate to. However, by emphasising the brand's human context, its relationship with customers, and its commitment to sustainability and the common good, a deeper and more meaningful connection can be created that benefits both the brand and the customer. Leading brands have begun to tap into the power of storytelling through their apps to weave engaging marketing campaigns that connect with their users on a more visceral and emotional level. 

3. User-Generated Content

The growing popularity of user-generated content on social media has had a significant impact on luxury apps. The trend allows users to share their direct experiences with the brand’s products or services and can cultivate trust and create a sense of community among users. A good example is the un-boxing trend on YouTube and the practice of image sharing on Instagram, Facebook and Snapchat. Premium brands can actively encourage their customers to share their experiences and create content through the app that can be automatically posted on social media, in the same way as you might share a song link on Spotify. This can boost engagement, increase brand visibility, and lead to more person-to-person referrals and sales.

4. Welcome To The Metaverse

The ‘Metaverse’ is a hypothetical virtual reality Internet in which virtual shows, digital showrooms, and interactive in-game experiences are commonplace for brands to interact with customers. This isn’t how the world is in 2023, mainly because virtual reality devices are not yet commonly used, and mobile networks aren’t strong, fast, or ubiquitous enough. 

The Metaverse opens a new world of possibilities for brands to offer their customers unforgettable experiences through technology, and it would be shortsighted not to consider these possibilities at the design stage of a new luxury application. By laying the groundwork for metaverse-like experiences, in which users can explore different virtual environments through a mobile app, brands can engage with their customers on a whole new level while also providing a unique way to showcase their services and products.

Find Out More

To find out how you can incorporate the latest mobile app trends into your digital products to strengthen your customer experience and brand loyalty, please contact Glance today by clicking here.

Image source: Canva