Is Twitter the Future of Retail?

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Neither of the companies referenced were actually retailers (one service company and one restaurant). Attempt to actually answer the question you headlined.

Kstraw of TX 2:38PM July 16, 2009

Neither of the companies referenced were actually retailers (one service company and one restaurant). Attempt to actually answer the question you headlined.

Kstraw of TX 2:10PM July 16, 2009

Neither of the companies referenced were actually retailers (one service company and one restaurant). Answer the question you have posted.

Kstraw of TX 2:08PM July 16, 2009

While I'm not convinced Twitter will be the tool we're all using in ten or even five years from now, Twitter does represent a change in the way customers interact with companies. And Twitter is certainly an important channel right now, both for retailers and other companies. It allows for real-time interaction with customers, monitoring of brand mentions, and a free and easy way to broadcast company news and sales to an audience of interested persons. I don't think any retailer should ignore it (but of course not every company needs a full-time social media manager like Scottrade).

Jenn Deering Davis of TX 12:45PM July 16, 2009

I also object to clipping coupons, carrying loyalty cards, and generally participating in any of the ridiculous activities that are intended to artificially increase my level of consumption. However, my main motivator is not finding the best deals (I NEVER shop at Wal-Mart for moral reasons) but finding a product or service provider whom I appreciate from a subjective point of view. Twitter is extremely useful for that. I can get to know a company by following their tweets, and that personal connection is more likely to drive my conversion and command my loyalty than any deals or offers.

fast_ra29 of NC 12:28PM July 16, 2009

If I go to a store or business and discover that they give better secret deals to Twitter users than to me, a non-chirper, I will try hard to find someone else to buy from. I've grown up on the "everyday low price" model of Wal*Mart, and I have no interest in clipping coupons, carrying loyalty cards or searching for "tweets" in order to buy something.

Muser of NM 11:28AM July 16, 2009

I'm on twitter and barely use it. It would be an unwise decision for companies to rely heavily on twitter because twitter has a very low retention rate (something like 60% of new users leave after a month).

veronica of NH 11:08AM July 16, 2009