With Facebook-enhanced retail (f-commerce) emerging as the new darling of the e-commerce world, here are some examples (with screenshots) from big and innovative brands deploying f-commerce in the form of f-stores.
As we’ve previously noted, f-commerce comes in three basic flavors
- On Facebook (Facebook stores (f-stores))
- On-site (Integrating Facebook into e-commerce sites – social sign-on, social plugins, Open Graph)
- In-store (Integrating Facebook into the in-store experience – Facebook connected fitting rooms, Facebook Deals (check-ins)…)
Today, we’re just showcasing 1) – f-commerce in the form of f-stores on Facebook itself. These stores themselves, break into three basic types…
- Faux-Stores – You can browse, but you can’t buy – product image galleries linking to product pages on web-stores
- Fan-Stores – Fan-first/fan-only Facebook stores hosting exclusive retail events for fans (B2F (Brand to Fan)), typically selling a small range of products for a limited time (aka campaign stores / “try-vertising” stores/pop-up stores)
- Full-Stores – Offering the full web-store experience optimized for, and inside, Facebook
So without further ado, here’s our selection of noteworthy f-stores from big and innovative brands. Let us know what we’ve missed!
F-Commerce on Facebook (f-stores)
1. 1-800-Flowers
What’s notable about it: Where it all began: The first transaction in Facebook at 11.50 am EST on July 8, 2009, for a bouquet of flowers ‘A Slice of Life’ on the f-store of U.S. florist 1-800 flowers…
2. Warner Bros
What’s notable about it: First movie rentals (streaming) store – exclusive premium content for fans – direct from the Studio – sent Netflix shares tumbling.
3. Lady Gaga
What’s notable about it: The most popular f-commerce-enabled page on the planet 31m+ fans
4. Starbucks
What’s notable about it: The most popular product brand page in Facebook uses Facebook as an e-commerce enabled CRM platform – top up your loyalty card/iPhone payment card on Facebook
5. Coca-cola
What’s notable about it: The second most popular product brand page in Facebook uses Facebook to sell brand merchandise
6. Delta Airlines
What’s notable about it: First airline ticketing store in Facebook – view the f-store on the page or on your wall
7. Dexter
What’s notable about it: a viral ‘wall store’ that can be shared by users
8. Nike
What’s notable about it: freebies for fans when they buy
9. Disney
What’s notable about it: group-buy ticketing app for Disney movies – payments handled by Fandango
11. Max Factor (P&G)
What’s notable about it: an early example of a brand-to-consumer fan-store – logistics by Amazon
12. Pantene (P&G)
What’s notable about it: an early example of a fan-first f-store – giving early access to new products to fans
13. Pampers Store
What’s notable about it: Selling 1000 diapers an hour to fans on Facebook – before they’re available in store
14. P&G
What’s notable about it: Big brand manufacturer selling a wide range of products (29 brands) direct to customers – using Amazon for logistics
15. Dove (Unilever)
What’s notable about it: P&G’s arch-rival in consumer goods taking a different f-commerce route – B2F (Brand to Fan) fan-stores selling a limited range of products, rather than a full-store. But taking a leaf from P&G’s book – using Amazon for fulfillment
16. Old Spice
What’s notable about it: using an f-store to promote an advertising campaign
17. Rachel Roy
What’s notable about it: an early example of a fan-only f-store – offering fan-exclusives
18. Nine West
Offers fan-first exclusives – before available in-store
19. JCPenney
What’s notable about it: one of the first ‘full f-stores’ from a big retailer offering the full web-store experience optimized for, and inside, Facebook
20. ASOS
What’s notable about it: much admired UK e-tailer opens up a full f-store – with international delivery
21. Heinz
What’s notable about it: a fan-first f-store – get new products before they arrive in store (AKA tryvertising)
22. Bejeweled (PopCap)
What’s notable about it: f-commerce for Facebook games – buy add-ons using Facebook Credits
23. W Hotels
What’s notable about it: a group-buy store on Facebook from Starwood’s luxury boutique hotel brand
24. Holiday Autos (Travelocity)
What’s notable about it: first f-store for car rentals
25. Volkswagen (Skoda Fabia)
What’s notable about it: first Dutch auction f-store (every ‘like’ price drops by 1€, until someone buys)
26. Walmart
What’s notable about it: Crowdsaver store from the world’s largest retailer is not strictly an f-store, more a storefront for in-store deals that go live when enough ‘likes’ are reached
27. Bulgari
What’s notable about it: Luxury brands dip their toes into the f-commerce water
28. Kembrel
What’s notable about it: Student e-tailer makes 20% of 2010 Black Friday sales on Facebook – with 7-10% higher order value
29. Vinobest f-store
What’s notable about it: First group-buy f-store for wine – the future of wine clubs?
30. Best Buy
What’s notable about it: Big Box electronics retailer uses f-stores to encourage shoppers to share their purchases (Shop + Share)
31. Molly Sims
What’s notable about it: Popular celebrity f-store from the former model and actress
32. Barneys
What’s notable about it: Hip fashion store selling a $33,835.00 ring on Facebook.
33. Retail Therapy (PopSugar)
What’s notable about it: A Facebook game (CityVille-for-shopping), where players become retailers and manage their own fashion store, buying stock with Facebook Credits; participating brands include as TopShop, Diane Von Furstenberg and 7 For All Mankind
34. Sears
What’s notable about it: A deal-for-likes app, deals go live when enough ‘likes’ have been reached