Global media communications agency Havas Media has launched the latest video in its digital trends series: Social Shopping. The agency teamed up with social media leader Facebook, top eyewear brand Warby Parker and marketing technology expert FaceCake to explore one of the biggest trends in digital today. View the video and accompanying trends report.

Social shopping is shopping and buying with friends through the use of digital technologies and social platforms. It is the exchange of product ideas, tips, recommendations and feedback throughout the shopping process, whether online or in-store. According to research done by Booz & Company, by 2015, the dollar volume of goods sold globally through social media is expected to rise six-fold, to $30 billion from $5 billion in 2011.

“Shopping has always been a social experience. But now, through emerging technologies, tools and communities, that experience is enhanced for both brands and customers,” said Rori DuBoff, SVP, Director of Global Strategy, Havas Media. “Warby Parker is a great example of a social brand, Facebook is a great example of a social platform and FaceCake is a great example of a social technology and application – all of which are driving the evolution of social shopping.”

Said Neil Blumenthal, Co-Founder & Co-CEO, Warby Parker, “For so long, people were going into optical shops and the glasses were under a display. We found that people just want to grab glasses, put them on, take photos of them and post them to Facebook. We think shopping is inherently social, we think it needs to be fun and we need to do everything possible to foster a social experience.”

“FaceCake has enabled social shopping because they’ve created a technology that allows consumers to try on within a virtual space and easily share that experience with friends,” said Emily Garvey, VP, Group Account Director, Havas Media.

"The physical barriers of the dressing room, which until now limited the shopping experience, have expanded with Swivel to include the shopper's entire social circle, offering instant interaction and feedback with practically limitless brand exposure," said Linda Smith, Founder & CEO, FaceCake Marketing Technologies, Inc. "Shopping by its nature is social, and our technology allows all of us to share the experience with our world of friends."

“Mobile is a very important part of our future,” said Chris Maliwat, Strategic Partner Development – Commerce, Facebook. “An increasing number of our users are checking in when they arrive at the mall, they’re taking pictures of themselves trying clothes on, tagging themselves and asking people for opinions. I definitely recommend anyone, whether you’re an e-commerce player, a brick-and-mortar player or somewhere in between, to really consider the learnings that we’ve seen from some of our partners and invest in social shopping.”

“Brands competing in today’s environment are incorporating social into the way they reach and engage customers and drive sales,” said DuBoff.

Link to video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dPNOBmakkP8
Link to slideshare report: http://www.slideshare.net/havas-digital/global-media-trends-social-shopping

About the Digital Trends Video Series:

In partnership with top innovative companies and industry specialists, the Havas Media video series explores burgeoning global media trends that show how marketers are connecting with consumers in new and more meaningful ways. Trend areas include progressive screens, social shopping, location-based marketing, cashless commerce, content co-creation/curation, augmented learning, big data and predictive analytics, smarter search and life tracking. Videos will be launched regularly throughout the year, as they are most relevant to marketers.

About Havas Media

Havas Media is the global media network of Havas. Havas Media represents one of the world’s fastest growing media networks and its agencies have grown from 10 markets in 1999 to 122 markets in 2011. Havas Media services its clients through a portfolio of specialist global networks and agencies. The group is organized to maximize local market dynamics while leveraging the extensive global insight and strategic support within Havas Media.

Further information can be found at www.havasmedia.com or follow us on twitter at @HavasMedia.