There's an app for that: shopping by mobile

These days, most major retailers offer a downloadable app for browsing and shopping by mobile. Want to check Amazon.com's stock and prices? There's an app for that. Want to bid or buy on eBay? There's an app for that.

Waitrose offers a special Christmas shopping app. Sainsbury has apps for meal planning and grocery shopping.

Asda even has an app to compare prices at competing stores as part of its low-price guarantee (illustrated here). Tesco is testing an app to help shoppers find the most efficient route through its stores.

Will retailers offer apps for finding and viewing holiday window displays this year?