Posted at: 11/25/2009 11:18 AM | WHEC.com

Social networking sells

Competition is stiff going into the holiday shopping season, especially after the bleak sales of last year.

Some retailers are trying new things that, based on the ways many people communicate these days, seem fairly obvious.

Companies are using social networking sites like Facebook to communicate or "interact" with their customers.

"It's really a great way for us to go where our customers are and really offer them fun interactive experiences," Bob Friedland, a spokesman for Toys "R" Us, said.

Facebook members can sign up to be fans of various retail chains and get perks from the companies.

Toys "R" Us is using Facebook to lure their fans or consumers into their stores. Facebook says the retailer has the fastest growing brand on its site, with 400,000 fans who get special perks.

"Fans of our Facebook page can actually see our Black Friday circular now instead of waiting for newspapers on Thursday," Friedland said. "For Black Friday, a lot of people want to plan out their day and figure out how best to shop in our stores. They can really look through the circular, gives them a couple of extra days."

The National Retail Federation estimates 134 million people will shop this weekend. That's up 6 million from last year.

Fifty-seven million know where they plan to go and 77 million are waiting to see where the best offers will come from. That's where the Internet comes in. Twenty seven percent will shop online.

Facebook says, becoming a "fan" on their site, pays.

"Sears has about 150,000 fans on their page," Sheryl Sandberg, COO of Facebook, said, "and they gave those fans the ability to shop their Black Friday specials earlier than everyone else, trying to reward them for loyal business all year."

Retailers are also using Twitter to connect with their customers.

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