Macy's

  Macy's has become very successful from implementing an omni-channel strategy that combines its brick and mortar business with digital technology.  This strategy has helped the company localize merchandise in each of its stores based on the region and the customers preferences. Macy's achieved this by updating the company's website, creating a mobile app, and and the My Macy's Program. The company has 887 stores located in 45 states. Macy’s uses social media to reach out to its customers and build a better relationship with them.

   Macy’s has over 14 million Facebook fans and over the last six months has grown by an average of 1,489 fans a day. The retailer does a great job of engaging its Facebook community by posting content that relates to its core demographic and their favorite products. Macy’s tends to post twice a day on Facebook about new products, contests, holidays, sales, and promotions.  Macy’s uses its Twitter page to interact more with its followers answering all of their questions and concerns. Macy’s Twitter followers have a high brand awareness and a handful of their followers are influencers with significant audiences. Macy's does a good job of running each of their social media platforms because the retailer has extensive reach and is very interactive with its followers. 

Pitaya

   Pitaya is a boutique in downtown Athens, Georgia that carries the latest styles of clothing made in the USA. The first Pitaya opened in 1990 and now the store has fifteen locations spread throughout the United States. My favorite thing about Pitaya is that they restock new merchandise every week.  Pitaya is one of those stores that you have to physically go inside to see their new clothing because their website is usually not updated with new arrivals. Pitaya's website needs a little work because it is not visually pleasing. The website just shows pictures of the garments alone on a white background. Shoppers like myself would don't like this because we like to see how the clothing looks and falls on a model. 

   Pitaya’s Instagram is their most popular social media website, but they tend to post sporadically. Some weeks they post eight to twelve times and other weeks they only post five or six times. Pitaya is great about posting their new arrivals on Instagram with the hashtag #shoppitaya. Some of Pitaya’s fall trends include denim/faux suede button up skirts, knotted t-shirt dresses, ankle boots, and long sleeve maxi dresses. Almost two thirds of Pitaya posts just feature the clothing laid out with a nice background. The other third of the stores posts feature style bloggers, employees, or Pitaya shoppers wearing their clothing. Pitaya's Pinterest features twelve boards ranging from new arrivals to clothing by the season to outfits we love. My favorite board is the "As Seen On" board because it features styles people love and similar outfits by Pitaya in the comments under the photo. I think Pitaya has the potential to grow their business even more with the help of social media if they take the time to redesign their website and become more consistent with their use of social media. 

Entourage Clothing

  

  Entourage clothing was born in 2008 from a humble beginning. Katie, the owner, had one goal in mind--to open a store where everyone would feel welcome. She has since expanded her business to seven locations while staying true to her original goal. Entourage’s provides stylish clothing at affordable prices to women of all ages and sizes. Entourage differs from other clothing stores in Athens because it carries plus size and maternity wear in addition to other clothing. Katie believes giving back to the community, so Entourage donates ten percent of all its profits to charities throughout the Southeast. 

  Entourage's overall marketing strategy seems to be effective, but maybe could use some fine tuning. I think that Entourage's current strategy is rather aggressive. When you purchase something at one of Entourage's locations, you are given the option to sign up for text notifications in exchange for a free pair of earrings. Entourage also gives you the option to sign up for text notifications online for ten percent off your purchase. I think that the text notifications can irritate customers because they occur at least three times a week. Entourage also uses social media to advertise their sales and giveaways. In particular, the store has quite a large Instagram following. Recently, Entourage has been advertising that everything in-store is $42 or less. Entourage tends to post around six photos per day on Instagram, but only half of these photos are of actual clothing arrangements. So while Entourage does a great job of keeping customers up to date on a wide variety of clothing choices, perhaps weekly text notifications and fewer daily Instagram posts might be a better strategy.

Planet Blue

   

   Planet Blue recently opened its first store in the Southeast and is taking Atlanta by storm. Planet Blue is a Southern California based brand that originated in Malibu twenty years ago. Since then, Planet Blue has become an international specialty designer that mixes its bohemian style with innovative fashions. The Instagram offers clothing from the leading designers for the California girl at heart. Stone Cold Fox and For Love & Lemons are two of my favorite designers that Planet Blue carries in stores and online. These designers usually only offer their clothes online and in a few select stores, and these stores typically only carry a few designs. 

   Planet Blue used social media to promote its store opening in Buckhead and hosted an opening party on September 25 of this year. Planet Blue teamed up with Show Me Your Mumu for a wardrobe giveaway and shopping spree to get their Instagram followers excited about their new store opening. Planet Blue now has a huge Instagram following with 346,000 followers, and has been using the hashtag #prettyasapeach to connect with Georgia followers. Instagram followers were overjoyed when Planet Blue announced its plans to expand in the Southeast. With stores in over 30 countries, Planet Blue promises to be a big hit among southern belles and California dreamers alike. 

American Threads

   American Threads is a unique clothing store for every free spirited girl. It carries boho chic clothing and one of a kind handmade jewelry. American Threads got started in Atlanta and has been using social media to promote  its sales. American Threads’ Pinterest is my favorite, with 21 different boards. "The Daily Edit" is my favorite board because it features the most recent and my favorite looks. Flares, bell sleeve tops, lace up tanks, denim panel skirts, and fringe boots are whats featured on that board. American Threads is going for the 70s rocker look with their fall line and their Leaves Are Falling board features all of their fall inspiration. This board features many cozy sweater, suede skirts, high boots with high socks, and long sleeve lace up shirts parked with leather jackets. American Threads has 18,000 pins on Pinterest and over 7,000 followers. American Threads “Stay Wild Child” board best illustrates the company image by showing pictures representing wanderlust and the “wild child.” It has many pictures of girls at music festivals, traveling, wearing flower crowns and all American Threads clothing.

   American Threads also has a great Instagram where it features the customers favorite outfits under #threadsbabes The Instagram also features all of its new clothing as well as clothing by other designers, including the For Love & Lemons brand, which is now sold in all American Threads stores. The company currently has three locations, and using social media will help it expand further.