While the current lockdown has made social media vital for retailers’ communication with consumers, the recently published Retail Barometer shows how important ‘staying social’ became in 2019.
Social media was overwhelmingly the most used means of promotion for independent cookshops and housewares stockists in the annual survey, which is organised by Progressive Housewares in conjunction with Bira. Some 83% used social media to get themselves noticed in 2019 (up from 68% in 2018).
The Retail Barometer shows how social media has increased in importance – rising up to number five (from seven) in the list of ways that independents promoted themselves last year.
Feedback from respondents also shows that social media was considered the most effective way of attracting and retaining customers in 2019.
Facebook is the most used social media channel – used by a whopping 97% of respondents (up from 74% in 2018). However, all social channels increased in usage last year, with Instagram the second most popular (used by 55%, compared to 21% previously). After that came Twitter (now used by 39%), Pinterest, and then – to a lesser extent – LinkedIn and blogs.
To read the full findings of The Retail Barometer (in its 15th edition), CLICK HERE.
* Dreamfarm and its UK partner Forma House are currently helping their stockists to maintain regular social media posts by providing a weekly batch of ‘Instagram worthy’ images and captions. ‘Staying in touch with your customers has never been more important’ emphasises the Australian brand (see image).
Top: Dreamfarm (from Forma House) is helping stockists to keep up social media posts by providing images and captions every week.
