App Development for Retail 2026: adesso Compares Home Improvement and Garden Center Apps in the Retail App Report

The DIY industry is under massive pressure to act. High retail space costs and fluctuating foot traffic are colliding with a customer base that has long been planning their projects on the go via smartphone. Anyone who still limits advice and inspiration to the physical store will not only fall behind but simply lose their relevance.

By 2026, the mobile app will no longer be a “nice-to-have”—it will be the link between inspiration on the couch and the final purchase in the aisle. Whether on iOS or Android: The quality of the app determines whether customers return or migrate to digital competitors.

DIY Stores & Garden Centers in the App Store—Where Does the Industry Stand Today?

Our analysis in the latest App Report Retail paints a mixed picture. While pioneers are already shining with flagship features, the digital landscape for many DIY retailers still consists of rudimentary, isolated solutions. Often, the lack of functionality or poor performance is a deal-breaker when a simple web app is used instead of a high-performance native app.

The dimensions examined:

• Product & Shopping: Real-time availability, Scan & Go, digital receipts.
• Navigation & Service: Indoor navigation in-store, AR visualization, and AI chatbots.
• Inclusion: Implementation of digital accessibility (BFSG).
• B2B: Specialized services for professional tradespeople.

The verdict: Fashion and pure-players in e-commerce set the benchmarks for personalization and community building. Although the home improvement sector is catching up, it still needs to make the leap from a mere collection of functions to a holistic ecosystem. Anyone who wants to have a highly successful app developed must look beyond the narrow scope of simply displaying inventory.

Perfect User Experience, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and more—customer expectations are rising

Today’s customers no longer think in terms of channels (omnichannel); they think in terms of solutions to their problems. A modern User Experience (UX) must now meet four core criteria, regardless of whether users download the app from the Apple App Store or the Google Play Store:

• 1. Seamless journey: Find online, locate in-store via app, pay on mobile – without any disruption.
• 2. Project focus instead of product focus: The home screen must know whether I’m currently renovating a bathroom or building a raised garden bed. Relevance beats the scattergun approach.
• 3. Added value through utility: Digital receipts and integrated loyalty systems turn the own app into a daily tool rather than a permanent advertising channel.

App Development in Retail: 5 Levers for App Strategy 2026

To stay competitive, home improvement stores and garden centers should now focus their investments on these areas of action and have an app developed that meets customer needs in 2026:

1. Your Own App as a Shopping Hub

Move away from a static catalog toward a transaction platform. When we create an app, we ensure that features like Scan & Go and intelligent search work together intuitively. A well-developed app—whether iOS, Android, or a web app—is the heart of customer loyalty.

2. Incorporate hyper-personalization into the programming

Personalization is the strongest driver of customer lifetime value. Every feature should be data-driven:

• Context-sensitive home screens: Based on location, season, and purchase history.
• Behavioral triggers: Push notifications when items are back in stock or aligned with project progress.
• AI integration: Intelligent recommendations that go far beyond “Customers also bought.”

3. Loyalty 2.0: Motivation instead of just points

Modern loyalty combines rewards with gamification. It takes more than 3% discounts to get native apps downloaded from app stores. Challenges (“Plant your first city balcony”) create an emotional bond with customers.

4. Use accessibility in the user interface as a UX booster

Accessibility is not a bureaucratic evil, but a quality feature of optimization. Clean architecture, well-thought-out app design, and clear navigation reduce support costs. Whether native, hybrid, or a cross-platform solution: the interface must be usable by everyone. Digital accessibility is a key factor in your app’s success.

5. Professionalizing the B2B Interface

For professionals, the mobile app must become a mobile office. Project-based order lists and seamless ERP integration transform occasional buyers into loyal system partners. This requires in-depth programming knowledge and a robust technology foundation.

Modern Apps for the DIY Industry: Mobile Applications for Greater Customer Loyalty & Revenue

We are at a turning point. By 2026, excellent mobile apps will be essential for the efficient management of locations and product ranges. From the initial idea through the prototype to the final programming, adesso guides you through the entire app development process.