Apple adding ‘Shopping’ category to iOS App Store

iOS App Store Shopping category iTunes screenshot 001

Two days after it’s updated the tvOS App Store on the new Apple TV with a Categories section, Apple is now rolling out a brand new section in the App Store for iPhone, iPod touch and iPad apps: Shopping.

TechCrunch is reporting today that in addition to listing apps with built-in support for its mobile payments service, Apple Pay, the Shopping section will include other shopping-themed apps with emphasis on product reviews, price comparisons, auctions and more.

These apps, which used to be grouped under the App Store’s Lifestyle category, will be now moved to the new Shopping section.

Apple is celebrating Shopping launch with various app collections, including a ‘Save While You Shop’ app group listing iPhone, iPod touch and iPad applications that offer various deals, discounts and other special features for customers.

Another collection, headlined ‘Shop for Everything’, collates apps from across a variety of themes, like Chic, Dapper, Gifts, Rugged, Play Dates, Groceries and more.

iOS App Store Shopping category iTunes screenshot 002

Hit the source link at the end of this post for the full list of promotions that will be available in the ‘Save While You Shop’ app group. As an example, Zappos will be offering free one-day shipping and photo service Walgreens will be discounting orders placed through its app by 30 percent.

The new Shopping section will be rolling out later today to users worldwide. These things usually take time to propagate so not everyone will necessarily see the new category in the App Store at the same time.

The article doesn’t spell out if the Shopping section will expand to the Apple TV App Store as well, which currently lists only Games and Entertainment categories.

Source: TechCrunch