FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Richemont Appoints Van Cleef & Arpels’ Nicolas Bos as New CEOThe announcement coincided with its full-year results, with growth driven by its jewelry brands.
EditorsMay 14, 2014
Amazon ups the shopping ante via Twitter
Amazon has found another way to bring shopping to the increasingly mobile U.S. consumers. In recent days, the retail giant announced that consumers now will be able to shop on Amazon via their Twitter accounts.
Not that a person who already makes 75 percent of her purchases online needs any more of a reason to shop, but I was very intrigued by this news when I first saw it.
Here’s the idea: You see an Amazon link to a product on Twitter, and if you want it, you reply to the Tweet with the hashtag “#AmazonCart.” Provided it’s available, the product immediately is added to your Amazon shopping cart.
[caption id="attachment_2299" align="alignleft" width="330"]
You even will get a Tweet back to confirm as well as an email.
The one problem: You have to link your Amazon account to your Twitter account, so if you have a private account the Twitter account that responds to #AmazonCart won’t be able to see the Tweet and it won’t work.
The idea is, obviously, to make it easier for Twitter users to shop Amazon on their phones. I think it’s a great idea and it is one more thing, on top of Sunday delivery added to more markets, the e-tailer is doing to stay ahead of its competition.
I wanted to test it out for the sake of this blog so I gave it a try Monday, linking my Amazon account with my Twitter profile.
Because I didn’t immediately find many Amazon links in my own Newsfeed, I went over to see what Amazon’s Twitter profile could offer me and picked the most interesting thing I could find, a cookie dipper. (For those who don’t know, including Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff, a cookie dipper is a spoon-like utensil that hooks around a cookie so it can be dipped in milk.)
With one simple Tweet and one quick reply, I knew that it had been added to my cart. I popped over to my account online and--voila!---there it was. I did not actually buy the cookie dipper as it was for experiment’s sake and I just couldn’t justify that to myself, but I thought that the whole transaction was easy enough.
[caption id="attachment_2300" align="alignright" width="313"]
A recent article on Forbes criticized the cart for failing to provide consumers with immediate gratification because they’re just adding the item to a cart, not actually buying it, which I think is a great point. But I also see the value in adding
something to a cart while you’re thinking about it so that you don’t lose it, even if you have to come back later and actually buy it.
A lot of Millennials are following their favorite brands on Twitter, and there’s something to be said for being able to take action when something is recommended. And maybe for everyone’s bank accounts, especially my own, it’s best that it doesn’t actually buy it right away.
I would be interested in seeing what the conversion rate is of people who add the products via #AmazonCart and actually end up buying once the service has been around long enough to analyze the numbers.
The Forbes writer also brings up the point that only a limited amount of product information can be provided in 140 characters. But here’s where the lack of immediacy proves to be a strong point: You can add an item and come back later to look at it, read more about it, read the reviews and then make your decision. And assuming that you’re reading from a trusted source in your Twitter feed, you’re probably not blindly making the decision.
Now the question remains: With more and more platforms like #AmazonCart being launched to compel consumers to an even faster, easier shopping experience, streamlined to meet them in their space, how can retailers afford not to focus on their mobile presence and even e-commerce?
Let me know what you think about this new program, and in the meantime, I’ll be shopping deals on Twitter.
A lot of Millennials are following their favorite brands on Twitter, and there’s something to be said for being able to take action when something is recommended. And maybe for everyone’s bank accounts, especially my own, it’s best that it doesn’t actually buy it right away.
I would be interested in seeing what the conversion rate is of people who add the products via #AmazonCart and actually end up buying once the service has been around long enough to analyze the numbers.
The Forbes writer also brings up the point that only a limited amount of product information can be provided in 140 characters. But here’s where the lack of immediacy proves to be a strong point: You can add an item and come back later to look at it, read more about it, read the reviews and then make your decision. And assuming that you’re reading from a trusted source in your Twitter feed, you’re probably not blindly making the decision.
Now the question remains: With more and more platforms like #AmazonCart being launched to compel consumers to an even faster, easier shopping experience, streamlined to meet them in their space, how can retailers afford not to focus on their mobile presence and even e-commerce?
Let me know what you think about this new program, and in the meantime, I’ll be shopping deals on Twitter.
More on Editors
The Latest
FinancialsMay 17, 2024
Watches of Switzerland’s Fiscal-Year Sales Flat Looking ahead, the retailer said it sees “enormous potential” in Roberto Coin’s ability to boost its branded jewelry business.
Recorded WebinarsMay 17, 2024
Watch: Preparing for Trade Show SuccessJewelry trade show veterans share strategies for engaging buyers, managing your time effectively, and packing the right shoes.
Brought to you by
Record Gold Prices Have Consumers Undeterred. Here’s Why.Despite the rising prices, consumers continue to seek out the precious metal.
AuctionsMay 17, 2024
Piece of the Week: Cartier’s Ring-Tailed LemurThis little guy’s name is Ricky and he just sold for more than $200,000 at Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction.
Weekly QuizMay 16, 2024
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these seven questions.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Christie’s Holds 2 Sales Despite CyberattackThough its website has been down for a week, Christie’s proceeded with its jewelry and watch auctions on May 13-14, bringing in nearly $80 million.
AuctionsMay 16, 2024
Sotheby’s Withdraws 101-Carat Yellow Diamond from AuctionDespite the absence of “The Allnatt,” Sotheby’s Geneva jewelry auction totaled $34 million, with 90 percent of lots sold.
Brought to you by
From Registration to Return: 10 Tips to Protect You Before, During and After a TradeshowTradeshow risks are real. Get tips to protect yourself before, during and after and gain safety and security awareness for your business.
ColumnistsMay 16, 2024
The PR Adviser: What the Designer Should’ve DoneLilian Raji gives advice to designers on how to make the most of great publicity opportunities.
SourcingMay 16, 2024
Lucapa to Shed Stake in Lesotho Diamond Mine The mining company wants to divest its 70 percent holding in the Mothae Diamond Mine in an effort to streamline its portfolio.
ColumnistsMay 15, 2024
Squirrel Spotting: Why Retailers Struggle to Fire BrandsWhy do so many jewelers keep lines that are not selling? Peter Smith thinks the answer lies in these two behavioral principles.
AuctionsMay 15, 2024
Red Diamond Breaks Records at Phillips GenevaThe “Argyle Phoenix” sold for more than $4 million at the auction house’s second jewels sale.
Events & AwardsMay 15, 2024
See Who’s in JA’s 2024 ‘20 Under 40’ ClassThe annual list recognizes young professionals making an impact in jewelry retail.
IndependentsMay 15, 2024
David Mann Jewelers in Upstate NY to Close After 35 YearsOwner David Mann is heading into retirement.
FinancialsMay 15, 2024
Brilliant Earth’s Sales Fall Flat in Q1 While overall sales were sluggish, the retailer said its non-bridal fine jewelry was a popular choice for Valentine’s Day.
SourcingMay 14, 2024
Anglo American Confirms It Is Looking to Sell De Beers The mining giant also wants to offload its platinum business as part of an overhaul designed to “unlock significant value.”
AuctionsMay 14, 2024
2 Huge Yellow Diamonds Are Heading to AuctionChristie's is selling one of the diamonds, moving forward with its Geneva jewelry auction despite the cyberattack that took down its website.
MajorsMay 14, 2024
Platinum Born Taps ‘Born Leaders’ for New CampaignThe ad aims to position platinum jewelry as ideal for everyday wear.
GradingMay 14, 2024
Instappraise Adds Trifold Brochure to Appraisal OfferingsRetailers can customize and print the appraisal brochures from their store.
Lab-GrownMay 13, 2024
Lab-Grown Diamond Brand Lightbox Cuts Prices by 25 to 40%The move follows a price-drop test run in Q4 and comes with the addition of a “quality assurance card” from GIA for some loose diamonds.
TechnologyMay 13, 2024
Christie’s Website Brought Down by Hackers, Watch Auction Postponed The site has been down since Thursday evening, just ahead of its spring auctions.
AuctionsMay 13, 2024
Madeleine Albright’s Jewelry, Pins a White-Glove Sale at Freeman’s | HindmanThe late former U.S. Secretary’s collection went for quadruple the sale’s pre-sale estimate.
IndependentsMay 13, 2024
Zachary’s Jewelers Names Mother’s Day Jewelry Contest WinnersThree fifth graders’ winning designs were turned into custom jewelry pieces in time for Mother’s Day.
IndependentsMay 10, 2024
Frank Adams Jewelers Names New CEOKimberly Adams Russell is taking over the role from her father, David Adams, marking the third generation to hold the title.
CollectionsMay 10, 2024
Piece of the Week: Carina Hardy’s ‘Birth of Venus’ NecklaceAs a token of womanhood, this necklace depicts when Venus was born from the sea.
MajorsMay 09, 2024
Watches of Switzerland Pays $130M for Roberto Coin Inc.The deal gives the retailer control over the distribution of Roberto Coin jewelry in the U.S., Canada, Caribbean, and Central America.
TrendsMay 09, 2024
Amanda’s Style File: Shine Bright, Moms Show your mother some love with a piece of fine jewelry.
