In a move that has taken savvy shoppers by surprise, Amazon is permanently deactivating a beloved feature of its mobile shopping experience. The 'Instant Offers' function, which presented users with potential discounts when they exited the app, will be switched off for good.
What Was 'Instant Offers'?
The feature was a clever, if quirky, tool for bargain hunters. Instead of simply closing the Amazon app, users were occasionally greeted with a final-screen prompt offering a limited-time discount on an item they had just been browsing or a similar product. It was a last-ditch attempt by the retail giant to secure a sale with a flash deal.
The End of an Era for Flash Deals
Amazon has confirmed the feature's discontinuation, effective immediately. A notice within the app now informs users that 'Instant Offers will no longer be available after September 12, 2023.' The company has not provided a detailed explanation for the sudden removal, simply stating the feature is being retired.
How Will This Affect Shoppers?
For consumers, this means one fewer avenue for discovering spontaneous savings. The serendipity of unlocking an unexpected discount simply by closing your phone is now gone. Shoppers will have to rely more heavily on curated deal pages, lightning deals, and personalised recommendations within the app itself.
The silence from Amazon on its reasoning has led to speculation amongst users. Some suggest the feature may not have been utilised enough to justify its maintenance, while others wonder if it was a victim of a broader streamlining of the app's functionality.
For now, the message for UK shoppers is clear: the era of the instant, exit-based offer is over.
