Walmart Taps Facebook, Launches CrowdSaver Social Shopping App

A month away from Black Friday 2010 and Walmart is leveraging Facebook to increase its fan base as well as its online sales.

Following in the steps of sites like GroupOn and brands like Dell**, CrowdSaver is Walmart's social shopping application. Walmart stands to acquire thousands of likes from "fans." As the brand notes it is "putting you in charge of lower prices. If the deal gets enough Likes, the price drops for everyone. Only fans get to vote, so rally your friends to Like it too!"

Much like GroupOn, it shouldn't be tough to hit the threshold established by Walmart. It generated 100 likes in the time it took me to write this and was already close to hitting the goal. It will be interesting to see how the application develops. It's an interesting way to use Facebook to stimulate online sales.

When a retailer with a retail footprint is larger than the island of Manhattan launches group buying capabilities for its customers, the concept gets interesting.

**Sears Campus 2010 Facebook app allows users to create wish lists of Kmart and Sears products. Uniqlo's Lucky Counter integrates Twitter to lock in a discount at one of its stores.

Comments

[Douglas (Watkins)]

Walmart is everywhere

[e.kath]

This is a interesting way to reach customers. Throough Facebook, Walmart can have access to people who may not initially be in their target audience. So many people from different areas of the country and in different stages of their lives will have access to this Walmart fan page, and the message will more easily be spread to a wider range of people. This ulitmately boosts Walmart popularity and can advertise their prices and products to a larger group of people.

[Wesley Freeman]

This is very interesting thatsome retailers are using social media to help drive sales. When used effectively social media can be used effectively to segment audiences and create brand persona. It is amazing how social media has evolved and plays a part in soo many people's every day lives.

[Kevin Dugan]

Wesley: Good point about being able to segment. You're right. I think the key about using social media to drive sales is to not make it initially about selling. Coupons and deals like this one from Wal-Mart are one thing. But I think you also need to engage with consumers through social media to build a following over time. Thanks!