Imshop
Branded iOS and Android shopping apps from your Shopify store
The Challenge
Brick-and-mortar retailers needed mobile shopping apps to compete with e-commerce giants, but building native iOS and Android apps cost $80K–150K. Imshop wanted a platform where any retailer could generate a branded mobile app from their Shopify store in days.
Constraints & Requirements
- Feature-identical iOS and Android from a single codebase
- Working within Shopify API rate limits while keeping data fresh
- App startup under 2 seconds on mid-range devices
- Distinct branding per retailer without forking the codebase
Our Approach
Discover
Analyzed 15 Shopify stores across fashion, electronics, and grocery to map catalog structures and customization needs.
Design
Built a theming engine accepting brand tokens (colors, typography, radius) to generate fully branded experiences.
Build
React Native for mobile. React.js admin dashboard. Shopify API integration with intelligent caching and delta sync.
Launch
Soft launch with 3 pilot retailers. Performance tested on 12 device models. Submitted to App Store and Play Store.
Iterate
Added deep linking, loyalty integration, and barcode scanner for in-store price checking.
The Solution
React Native cross-platform mobile app with JSON-based theming engine, Shopify API integration, and an admin dashboard for retailer self-service.