Social Networking in Retailing

A REPORT ON THE STRATEGIES OF RETAILERS IN USING SOCIAL MEDIA TO INTERACT WITH CONSUMERS, 2011

Prepared for: B Hall

Submitted:   15 April 2011

Prepared by:
L Mangos 214980X

Table of Contents
Executive summary 3
1. Introduction 4
1.1 Purpose 4
1.2 Scope 4
1.3 Methodology 4
1.4 Limitations 4
2. Findings 5
2.1 Background to online social network growth 5
2.2 Rate of social network growth 5
2.3 Social network growth in etailing 6
2.4 Facebook 6
2.5 Twitter 7
2.6 YouTube 7
3. Discussion 8
3.1 Customer interaction 8
3.2 Luxury – an aspiration 8
3.3 Analysing the value 9
3.4 Today’s retail engagement 9
4. Conclusion 10
References 11

Executive summary
This report provides an analysis the rate of social networking growth in etailing and presents an assessment of the advantages of investing in social media for etailing.   Methods of analysis include an evaluation of the strategies of Starbucks, Wet Seal and Louis Vuitton and how the companies have utilised Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in actively interacting with their consumers.
The results of evaluation show that the companies are successful in their approach and strategies in interacting and “engaging” with customers in particular, Starbucks with Facebook being the preferred social network channel.
The report finds the success of the retailers in using social media, as being positive and highlights the need for other retailers to invest in social media.

1. Introduction
1.1 Purpose
The main purpose of this report was to assess the use of social networking tools in etailing and present the cases for and against investing in social media.
1.2 Scope
While investigating the use of social networking in etailing it was important to consider the background to the growth of social network and the rate growth.   The report will pay particular attention to social media sites Facebook, Twitter and YouTube and will highlight how it has impacted on consumers interacting...