The value of
Facebook and other social media sites to retailers is greater than previously thought, according to a recent survey conducted by
Media Logic, a company recognized for specializing in marketing for a social world. After all, Facebook would be the
third most populated country in the world if it were, in fact, a country. Therefore, it makes perfect sense for retailers to be involved with the social media site.
"People use Facebook as a way to organize their social life, and they're considering retail and purchasing to be a part of their social life," says
Ronald Ladouceur, executive vice president and executive creative director of Media Logic. "Facebook has become a control panel people are using for their web experience as much as they've been using Google."
Out of 100 retailers participating in the study, all of them have seen tremendous growth on their respective Facebook pages. The four retail sectors surveyed included speciality apparel, speciality hardlines, department/discount and recreation. When the study began in July, only
Victoria's Secret could boast over one million "likers" on Facebook. When the study concluded in September, 14 other brands could hoist the same trophy including,
J.C. Penney,
American Eagle,
Kohl's,
Forever 21 and
Abercrombie & Fitch.
Out of the retailers with less than a million "likers," more than a quarter of the brands saw their fan base grow by 30 percent or more during the duration of the study.
Michael's Crafts,
Dress Barn,
Kenneth Cole, and
New York & Company each saw greater than 100 percent growth.
