Social Media Marketing

Social media and e-commerce have evolved since 1-800-FLOWERS.com launched the first Facebook storefront in July 2009. Internet users have become more comfortable with online buying on Facebook as they spend more time on the site.

Retail Online Integration has compiled a collection of the best tweets from the National Retail Federation's BIG Show. From tips to trends to breaking news to opinions, enjoy the best of the best from the Twitterverse.

Facebook is bringing a bunch of apps and actions onto the social network. Now, instead of just “Liking” something, you can say you read it, listened to it or watched it, all through your favorite web and mobile apps. Two Actions might be more commercially significant than the rest: “Want” and “Own.” 

Retail Online Integration has compiled a collection of the best tweets from the National Retail Federation's BIG Show. From tips to trends to breaking news to opinions, enjoy the best of the best from the Twitterverse. Here are the best from Tuesday at the show:

The staff at Retail Online Integration has compiled a collection of the best tweets from the BIG Show. From tips to trends to breaking news and opinions, enjoy the best of the best from the Twitterverse and the NRF show attendees and speakers.

Walgreens is paying bloggers to promote its cause in an attempt to sway its customers during the heated public battle with its former pharmacy benefit manager, Express Scripts. It's an initiative that's already prompted some backlash online.

In an effort to drive in-store traffic, customer loyalty and Facebook likes as well as boost its brand image, Ikea is hosting an event in its stores called Bring Your Own Friends Day. The daylong event includes free meals, special discounts and gift card giveaways for customers who RSVP via Facebook. In addition, for every friend a customer invites over Facebook, the retailer will donate $1 to Save the Children, up to $50,000.

Cabela's launched its "Good Old Truck" Facebook contest to support the recreation retailer's yearlong "Fifty Years Fifty Trucks" sweepstakes. The contest, which received more than 1,000 entries and more than 80,000 votes, encouraged consumers to share a photo of their "good old truck" and win a $500 Cabela's gift card.

Retailers must leverage mobility to stay competitive.

As is always the case this time of year, I’ve been spending a lot of time pondering Best Buy. Most of the year, the superstore sits up on that hill near where I live, monolithic, and I don’t go near it. But as December and January contain both the holidays, and both of my children’s birthdays, it becomes, however briefly, a frequent stopping-off point for purchasing DVDs, games and, of course, electronics.