Howell+D.+blog_post_analysis_1

Howell D.

TO: Proximity Social Networking team FROM: Dennis Howell SUBJECT: Gen Y uses social networks to shop? DATE: Feb 2, 2010

We were asked to analyze a blog post or news article to help us prepare Proximity's spring focus group. Bellow is my summary of Heather Dougherty's //Hitwise// article about social network's impact on retailers. I suggest we include questions in our focus session to see how TU students use social networks for shopping.


 * Social Networks and the Retail Industry**

Social networks are now a major source of upstream traffic for retailers. According to Heather Dougherty, upstream traffic to the Retail 500 category increased by 37% from last year. During the holiday season 2% of Facebook users visited a website in the Retail 500 immediately after logging on. Facebook users searched for retailers like Wal-Mart and Best Buy.


 * Why it is important**

Social networks may be the best way for our clients to reach Gen Y. Gen Y is using social networks for shopping. Social networks are becoming more popular. It seems that Gen Y will continue to shop through social networks. Our clients need to find a way to get their products exposed to Gen Y and social networks may be the way to do it.


 * Questions to ask TU students**

In addition to finding out if TU students use social networks for shopping, we need to find out how TU students use social networks for shopping. Our spring focus session should include questions such as the following.


 * Do you use social networks to shop?
 * How often do you use social networks to search for merchandise?
 * Have you purchased anything in the last month because of an ad you saw on a social network?

Proximity clients need answers to these questions so they can use social networks to their advantage.

__Reference__

Dougherty, H. (2010, January 29) Social network impact for retailers. //Hitwise.// Retrieved Feb 1, 2010, from [|http://weblogs.hitwise.com/movabletype/mt-tb.cgi/1405.1310812851]