Expert and Industry comments are corroborative
“ ... Social media gives you a chance to have a conversation with your customer .. Traditional advertising is more like archery — you just aim and shoot ...” - Heidi Reale, Director Marketing and Consumer Insights Price Chopper, USA
“ ... Shopping really has become a social experience these days. One of the most impactful ways we’ve seen social affect the buying process is by increased word-of-mouth marketing. Shoppers are becoming brand advocates by sharing their favorite products through Facebook, Twitter, YouTube ... ” – Margaret Case Little, Senior Director National Retail Federation
Mobile technology is a catalyst for retail growth and is changing the way we shop. Consumers now carry a global showroom in their pocket and are increasingly as inclined to seek recommendations online and shop mobile as visit the high street. At eBay we expect 2012 to be our most successful mobile Christmas ever with around 30% of the most popular Christmas products being brought through a smartphone - Carrie Bienkowski, Head of Buyer Experience at eBay
“... We may think everyone is following the Kardashians on Facebook, but in fact, Walmart is the greater social media ‘celebrity’ with more than double the number of followers as the Kardashian family’s most popular member, Kim ...” - Wendy Liebmann, CEO WSL/Strategic Retail
“ ... Our success is rooted in a heritage of listening and responding to what our consumers want ... ” - Jessica Wells, VP Social Marketing Chico’s FAS