Social Networking

Shoppers are resetting their behaviors, expectations and loyalties in large numbers today. Shifts like these produce tipping points, so, in partnership with Cognizant, we sought to find out how consumers are changing priorities about shopping expectations and IT strategies that serve them.

There's still plenty of anger at Target for its $150,000 donation to a group supporting an anti-gay Minnesota gubernatorial candidate, but the social media-fueled "Boycott Target" movement seems to have hit its peak with 75,000-plus Facebook supporters.

Sears' newest venue, the Craftsman Experience, has a dual identity. It's a physical space offering hands-on project stations and live demos, but it's also an Internet-based radio station that streams live video of special events to online visitors.

The "Boycott Target" movement is still growing, though at a slightly slower pace. And now, institutional shareholders are expressing concern.

Steven Skinner of Cognizant examines big-picture insights from an exclusive consumer study that offer clues to the future of retailing and impact of shopper empowerment.

Facebook is so low on the IT priority list for many retail CIOs that it barely registers. I don't understand this attitude except that it can be so hard to find a reliable expert to help with the launch of a Facebook marketing and IT program it might seem unrealistic to even try.

Shoppers are resetting their behaviors, expectations and loyalties, and retailers need to pay attention to their fast-changing priorities.