Social Media

BOISE, Idaho — Albertsons LLC is sharpening its focus on social media and digital marketing with the creation of a new social and digital marketing team that will be led by technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt.

Boise, ID. -- Albertson’s LLC’s has appointed technology and social marketing expert Karl Meinhardt as VP social & digital marketing.

CINCINNATI — Ahead of Earth Day, a number of retailers have been touting their sustainable efforts. The latest example is Kroger, which has released a video highlighting some of its accomplishments and showcasing some of its future goals.

The video features both store associates and customers who speak about how much Kroger has already done--from reducing waste and plastic bag use--and what the company can do more of--from making it easier to find organic products to donating more fresh produce to charity.

Atlanta -- The Coca-Cola Retailing Research Council has published the final installment of its five-part report on social media, which suggested that grocery marketers significantly can leverage any social media participation by simply responding to tweets on Twitter and exploring the potential of professional networking site LinkedIn.

BENTONVILLE, Ark. — Grilling is the theme of Sam's Club's annual "Spring Taste of Sam's Club" event, and the retailer is inviting members and non-members to sample some unexpected grilling options at its free event taking place Friday, April 27 to Sunday, April 29 from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Bentonville, Ark. -- Wal-Mart Stores Inc. said Tuesday it will hire 100 additional developers in India as part of its @WalmartLabs unit, which is focused on growing the retailer’s social media and mobile presence globally.

In November, WalmartLabs, under the retailer’s global e-commerce group, will build an operation in India to use social media and digital technology to attract shoppers.
 

Of the common areas hosted by a mall, the busiest has become the virtual one. Increasingly, consumers frequent mall websites to check out promotions at their favorite retailers. Website views are nothing new — but the escalation in mobile connectivity presents a revolutionary opportunity for retailers.

By Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin

Editor’s note: Launched in March 2010, Pinterest now ranks as the third most-visited social-networking site in the United States, according to a recent report by Experian Marketing Services. Pinterest, which lets its users “pin” photos and information onto virtual boards, ranks behind only Facebook and Twitter in terms of total visitors, according to the report. It also skews heavily female — about 60% of users are women.