Redesigning the NAPA Auto Parts mobile experience
How Digital Scientists modernized NAPA's iOS and Android apps with a new UX, flat branding, and VIN scanner — all without touching the backend — in just two months.
A faster way to find and buy auto parts on mobile
NAPA Auto Parts — owned by Genuine Parts Company — serves millions of customers through 6,000+ stores nationwide. Their mobile app had over a million downloads across iOS and Android, but the experience was dated: a cluttered interface, a 3D-era logo, confusing navigation, and search that fought users instead of helping them.
NAPA engaged Digital Scientists to redesign the mobile experience from the ground up. The catch: the backend (Hybris, managed by Accenture) couldn't be modified. DS needed to deliver a complete visual and UX overhaul using only front-end technologies — CSS, JavaScript, and Cordova — wrapping the existing platform in a modern, native-feeling experience.
The result was a fully redesigned app — new branding, streamlined navigation, VIN scanner, and modernized product browsing — designed, developed, tested, and launched in two months to debut at NAPA's 90th anniversary event.
1M+
App Downloads
400K+
Parts in Catalog
2
Month Delivery
4+
App Store Rating
A powerful catalog trapped in an outdated app
NAPA's mobile app gave customers access to 400,000+ auto parts across 6,000 stores, but the experience didn't match the scale. The interface was dark, cluttered, and difficult to navigate. The 3D-era logo felt dated. Search was buried behind confusing workflows. And every change had to work around a Hybris backend that couldn't be modified.
The constraints were real: Accenture managed the server-side platform, so DS needed to control the entire app experience through front-end code alone — CSS injection, JavaScript, and Cordova's hybrid wrapper.
- Cluttered home screen with too many competing elements
- Outdated 3D logo and dark chrome visual style
- Search and browse flows required too many taps
- No VIN scanner for vehicle-specific part lookup
- Backend locked — no server-side changes allowed
The original NAPA app: dark chrome, cluttered layout, buried search
Redesign the experience without touching the backend
We worked closely with NAPA's internal marketing and development teams to devise a solution that adhered to the retailer's existing platform constraints. Using Cordova as the hybrid wrapper, we built a front-end that dynamically renders across iOS and Android — controlling the complete visual experience through HTML, CSS, and JavaScript while the Hybris backend remained untouched.
Digital Strategy
Evaluated platform constraints, identified the Cordova hybrid approach, and mapped out a phased delivery plan for both app stores.
UX & Visual Design
Modernized every screen — from the flat logo and simplified navigation to streamlined search, browse, and checkout flows.
Cross-Platform Development
Built with Ionic and Cordova for iOS and Android from a single codebase. Used HockeyApp for cross-platform testing and rapid iteration.
From cluttered to clean
Every major screen was redesigned: a flat modern logo replaced the dated 3D version, dark chrome gave way to clean blue gradients, and navigation was simplified to put search and browsing front and center.
Before: Crowded home screen
After: Clean, modern layout
Before: Crowded parts browsing
After: Clear hierarchy, easy scanning
Built for how people actually find parts
Accessible search at your fingertips
Search is quickly accessible from nearly every view, making it easy to change your mind or find exactly the part you need. The redesigned search bar sits prominently at the top of every screen, with keyword and part number lookup built in.
VIN scanner for vehicle-specific results
The VIN scanner enables faster vehicle search by scanning the barcode directly. Adding a vehicle filters the entire catalog to only show parts for that specific make and model. Users can also add vehicles manually by selecting year, make, and model.
In-app expert support with Ask Bob
Integrated BoldChat SDK powers a live chat feature branded as "Ask Bob" — NAPA's Know How online mechanic. Customers can get real-time help finding the right part without leaving the app.
One codebase, three platforms
Using Ionic and Cordova, DS built a single codebase that renders natively on iOS, Android, and the mobile web. The hybrid approach let the team iterate rapidly while delivering a native-quality experience on both app stores.
- Ionic Mobile Application Framework
- Cordova for native device access (camera, barcode)
- HockeyApp for cross-platform QA testing
- BoldChat SDK for in-app customer support
End-to-end mobile redesign in two months
Modernized Visual Design
New flat NAPA logo, clean blue gradients, simplified navigation, and a contemporary look that matched the brand's evolution.
Streamlined Search & Browse
Search accessible from every screen with keyword and part number lookup. Browsing categories redesigned for faster scanning.
VIN Scanner
Camera-based barcode scanner using Cordova's native device access, filtering the entire 400K+ catalog to vehicle-specific parts.
Cross-Platform App
Single Ionic/Cordova codebase deployed to both iOS and Android app stores with native-quality performance and interactions.
Store Locator
Redesigned store finder with improved map integration, driving directions, and store details for 6,000+ NAPA locations.
In-App Support
BoldChat SDK integration for live customer support, plus NAPA Know How content accessible directly within the app.
Launched on schedule for NAPA's 90th anniversary
The redesigned app was completed in two months and released on schedule to debut at NAPA's 90th anniversary event. It received wide consumer approval and climbed to a 4+ rating on the App Store within two months of release.
On-Time Delivery
Designed, developed, tested, and launched within the two-month window for the 90th anniversary event — no deadline slips.
Consumer Approval
App Store rating improved to 4+ stars within two months, with users praising the cleaner design and easier part search.
Proven Architecture
The hybrid Cordova approach proved that a full UX overhaul was possible without touching the Hybris backend — a model for future updates.
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