IBM Channel Partners Enlist Social Commerce to Build Retail SolutionsInnovative IT software vendors are building web-based applications for retail customers that integrate social networking as a tool to expand sales. Related Articles
A growing number of IBM Corp. Business Partners are enlisting social commercein which customers take an active role in product marketing and sales through online communities, weblogs and user reviewsas integral components of solutions constructed to help retailers boost revenue. As merchants scuffle with listless back-to-school sales and search for ways to soothe apprehensive customers, some innovative IT solution providers are responding by building web-based solutions for retail customers that integrate social commerce and social networking as a foundation strategy to expand sales. By tapping into explosive growth markets such as online clothing salesa segment that last year posted revenue of some $23 billionsolution providers such as My Virtual Model (MVM), a Montreal, Canada-based developer, CrossView Inc., a Goldens Bridge, N.Y.-based specialist for companies selling across multiple avenues and Pluck, an Austin, Texas-based expert in driving traffic to clients' websites using social mediaare redefining sales strategies and marketing models for channel partners. IBM is showcasing channel partners such as these that adapt their thinking to weave social media into solutions, reasoning that the ability of buyers to share information with one anotherbefore, during and after the sales processhas a substantive effect on marketing, brand awareness and customer advocacy. Going forward, let the buyer beware may no longer be the watchword of commerce, said Sandy Carter, vice president, IBM software group channels. In a smarter retail system, it is the seller who must beand can bevastly more attentive and responsive. Evidence of the new model is emerging with increasing regularity. For example, MVM recently landed a deal with ABCfamily.com, a multi-platform, interactive entertainment site, to offer users a virtual dressing room to try on and buy clothing from retail giant JCPenny. The effort is targeted at the millennial demographic15- to 35-year-oldsand aimed at expanding the online shopping experience to enable customers to try on and buy clothing while interacting with ABCfamily.com media. Community, conversation, collaboration The solution not only allows users to share information across virtual communities at the MVM sitein which customers can convey their fashion preferences and looksbut also ties in social networking outlets such as Facebook and MySpace, said Louise Guay, MVM founder and president. Its exciting to see in the marketplace that theres an opportunity for this type of community, said Guay. We hope to go further with JCPenny beyond a back-to-school program. The JCPenny deal follows an agreement MVM struck last year with Sears that enabled consumers to create a virtual interactive model of themselves and try on clothing items by clicking on images. Other channel partners are constructing retail solutions that integrate social commerce across multiple sales channels, such as the Web, a call center, a mobile phone or point-of-sale. For example, CrossView recently built a retail solution for Moosejaw Mountaineeringa Madison Heights, Mich. outdoor adventure retailer with seven stores and an online sitethat included embedded community features for communication and collaboration among consumers. TAGS: Facebook,search,IBM,social networking,marketing Business News Solutions
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