Social Commerce

Social CommerceAs an industry leader for innovation and technology, it’s only fitting that Barnes & Noble is one of only a handful of retailers to leverage the ever-increasing power of social networks for e-commerce.

Our groundbreaking social commerce platform lets students buy books and merchandise straight from their bookstore’s Facebook page and “like” products, thereby driving word-of-mouth. We can even create customized applications, promotions and interactive features to keep the experience ever-changing and up-to-date; just like their lives.

In addition to the customary Facebook sections (Wall, Info, etc.), the new social commerce platform includes customized tabs, such as:

  • “The Shop” – showcasing the hottest trends at each individual bookstore
  • “Books” – with textbooks in all formats and access to NOOKstudy™
  • “Mascot” – featuring alumni, athletic and other apparel, online promotions, sweepstakes, and a Top Fan section
  • “The Hall” – a live feed to a student-focused blog, unique applications, gifts and new student orientation materials

We partnered with leading social media firms Enter New Media and Expion to develop this innovative platform and continue to integrate it into all our marketing, communications and customer service initiatives, including Facebook tabs that support important school causes and Twitter and FourSquare initiatives.

 

  • Facebook

    Facebook Top Fan SweepstakesWe continue to drive social media innovation, like with our Top Fan Sweepstakes contest on Facebook where students were asked to “like” us on Facebook for a chance to win $1000 towards textbooks.

    Twitter

    TwitterBravo television’s outspoken, no-nonsense star Tabatha Coffey “took over” Twitter recently with a Twitter view (a real-time interview via Twitter.com), hosted by Barnes & Noble.

    Foursquare

    FoursquareWe partnered with Havaianas for its first-ever FoursquareTM promotion. Students who purchased a pair of Havaianas flip-flops and “checked-in” at the bookstore got a free USB drive, while supplies lasted.

    In-Store Promotions

    In-Store PromotionsThe aroma of bacon cheeseburgers, barbecue-tinged chili and cinnamon-laced chocolate brownies filled the air during the official grand opening of Rowan University’s Barnes & Noble Collegiate Superstore. The aromas were courtesy of Bravo TV’s “Top Chef” reality star Spike Mendelsohn, who demonstrated recipes and signed copies of his new book, The Good Stuff Cookbook: Burgers, Fries, Shakes, Wedges and More.

    Monday Morning Money Back

    Monday Morning Money BackOur popular Monday Morning Money Back program helps generate traffic and sales by offering fans a discount on winning team gear. Heavily promoted via email and the bookstore website, if a school’s team wins, the following Monday team gear is available at a discount equal to the point spread – up to 20 percent.

    Excellence in Overtime

    Excellence in OvertimeAfter barely making the 2011 NCAA men’s basketball tournament, Virginia Commonwealth University rammed its way through to the Final Four – creating an unprecedented demand for VCU and NCAA tournament gear. We had the infrastructure in place to produce large supplies of VCU Final Four merchandise on a moment’s notice, resulting in over $1.3 million in March Madness merchandise sold at VCU’s Barnes & Noble bookstore.