Lookup is a free messaging app that allows consumers to send messages about their shopping needs to local shops & businesses & get back an instant reply.

Obviously, it only works when the business or shop in question is a participating merchant using the app.

This calls for a managed rollout, so the Lookup messaging app is being launched with participating merchants in Bangalore, as a start.

It’s not hard to see the appeal of a messaging app for local shopping, as long they can get shops & businesses to hop on board. It eliminates the last remaining online-to-offline jump & makes it entirely eCommerce.

Instead of finding a business using search & then calling them up via telephone, the app allows you to message your query or interest in a product or service & hopefully get back an instant response.

You can make use the app to make reservations at bars, pubs, hotels, restaurants & more. You can likewise book spa, salon, hospital or clinic & other such appointments.

You can get information about prices, product availability, deals, timing of brick & mortar stores, etc.

You can even share a picture & get back an answer. For example, you could send a scan of a medical prescription to a pharmacy & ask if they have the medicines, how long they’re open &/or whether they can deliver to your place.

As a business, you can be available as a verified business on Lookup by using the “Claim your business” option in the app’s Settings menu.

Lookup is currently available as an Android app for Bengaluru (Bangalore). Hatchery Software, the company that developed the app, expects to expand to other cities soon.

The Bangalore-based Hatchery Software Pvt. Ltd was founded in 2014 by Deepak Ravindran. The company has received funding from Infosys founder Kris Gopalakrishnan.

Click here to download the Lookup messaging app on your Android device.

Image Credit: Google store/Lookup

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