Social Media

Facebook is taking another step toward monetizing its vast audience of plugged-in consumers with the planned introduction of paid video ads. As reported in numerous media outlets, Facebook intends to launch 15-second video ads that will play in a user’s newsfeed three times per day for as much $2.5 million per spot.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. — Sears is touting its Team Up to Stop Bullying program to parents, educators and students during the back-to-school season. The program is open to customers and Shop Your Way members.

Participants can experience the Sears "Jean Scene" activities in four different ways this month.

Irvine, Calif. -- Photo-sharing site Socialbliss is launching a new social commerce platform called Marketplace. The Socialbliss Marketplace gives users the ability to list their own items for sale and link those pieces to inspiration images already existing on the site. This allows a viral conversation to begin which can lead to an item being sold.

Listing is free and backed by a 20% commission fee structure. Globally shoppable inventory on Socialbliss has hit $4.8 million.

New York – American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. is launching “Rock Your Walk,” a series of consumer-created videos showing them wearing American Eagle jeans the retailer says will create a “virtual denim runway” stretching across the U.S. Consumers can upload videos via Instagram or Vine on PC or mobile device and have them added to the virtual runway displayed online.

NEW YORK — H&M has made a lot of its U.S. customers happy with the launch of its Shop Online store, namely those who prefer the convenience of online shopping over having to go to the retailer’s brick-and-mortar stores. 

The retailer also stands to reach new potential customers who don’t have a store anywhere near them, but are familiar with the brand. 

San Jose, Calif. -- Retailers are cautiously optimistic about the 2013 holiday season, with 60% forecasting revenue growth in excess of 10%, in line with industry forecasts, according to a survey by Baynote, a provider of personalized customer experience solutions.

New York -- H&M has launched online shopping in the United States, effective Aug. 1. In addition to offering the same merchandise as in-store and some exclusive “online only” items, the site marks the debut of the H&M Home collection, available exclusively online.

NEW YORK — American Eagle Outfitters has launched its fall 2013 Project Live Your Life campaign with the debut of its "Rock Your Walk" video, featuring cameos by well-known fashion personalities. But the retailer is also turning to social media to make consumers a part of the campaign.