Customers of any brand now have a rare opportunity thanks to the internet to buy goods without ever leaving their homes, from groceries to clothing. Customers are more accustomed to the idea of using social media to simultaneously satisfy their social and shopping needs, especially since the outbreak of the pandemic. As a result, numerous businesses have benefited from utilising cutting-edge tools and social media platforms to expand their reach and increase customer loyalty. Companies can use social retail strategies to boost conversions and sales in their physical locations and online thanks to a variety of internet technologies.

Social Retail: The Intersection of Social Media and Online Shopping

The practise of using social media to interact with customers and conduct business through both physical and digital channels is known as social retail. Social retail makes an effort to imitate through technology the social interactions present in real malls and stores. Social shopping aims to further encourage consumers to form the habit of sharing the things and experiences they value with others.

Customers can connect with actual people while shopping effortlessly on their computer or mobile device thanks to cutting-edge virtual platforms. Online retailers can interact with customers and create a collaborative purchasing experience by using text, chat, and video. For instance, a retailer might have a consultant that uses a one-on-one video to take buyers through the specifics of the products from the actual store. Social buying offers for a unique virtual shopping experience, from giving sizing information to revealing the details of every product.

Effects of Social Retail on Loyalty Programs

Brands can connect with consumers at every stage of the customer lifecycle with the aid of social retail. The two environments where customers can be identified and personal communication can take place are often social media and loyalty programmes. Customer interactions have become more emotional as a result of social media, and customer journeys now frequently start (and conclude) there.

Maintaining a solid relationship with your customers on social media can result in a vibrant and engaged community, customer loyalty, and increased sales. By emphasising social media in the retail setting, you provide customers the chance to see actual customers using your items, rather than just models in framed pictures on the wall.

Emotional loyalty is influenced by personalization, authenticity, reliability, special experiences, and community-driven elements, all of which can be improved by a loyalty programme. Loyalty programmes can encourage customers to develop a habit of utilising social shopping by offering incentives and perks. These clients will eventually develop a deep emotional bond with your brand. Therefore, you may increase customer loyalty and turn customers into ardent supporters, evangelists, and return customers by employing a loyalty programme to encourage them to rely on social retail.

Time for the show

In order for customers to effortlessly interact with all of a brand’s channels, whether they be e-commerce, social media, or brick-and-mortar, social retail simply refers to making sure that a brand’s physical presence is smoothly interwoven with its social channels. Given how ingrained social media has become in our culture, the trend toward live shopping and social retail will only grow. Performance marketing success and the subsequent contribution to the development of this new trend will go to those companies that are quick to pivot and adapt to new features and platforms. Retailers may improve interactions with customers, increase retention, and expand their audience by allowing them to browse products on social media.

Brands may encourage consumers to make social retail a habit by leveraging loyalty programmes. Companies can gather useful consumer data by enrolling customers in loyalty programmes and encouraging them to use social retail features. They can later utilise this information to more effectively tailor their brand and marketing messaging. As a result, customers are motivated to use social retail as a convenient shopping option, return to the brand frequently, and feel valued as a member of the community.

Our experts are more than happy to assist you if you’re interested in talking about how our technology can make your loyalty programme idea a reality. Simply schedule a demo or mention us in your RFP.

Don’t forget to get Antavo’s Customer Loyalty Research 2022, a comprehensive report that provides you with guidance as you traverse the world of next-generation loyalty programmes by showcasing several facts and industry trends.