Ch. 18 -Social Media and Marketing

Once upon a time, a picture was posted online. That little image helped explain a heap of words and tired eyes everywhere let out a sigh.
But the faux-fairy tale doesn’t end there – for pictures not only complement copy, but boost business as well. This magic visual effect is explained best by social media today: “Words tell, but images sell.”
As Internet – and particularly social media – trends continue to favor visual, brands are discovering the value of pictures. 44% of users are more likely to engage with brands if they post pictures on their social network pages. Images increase engagement, certainly, but also possess the power to influence sales.
Sephora has witnessed the moxie of images firsthand. Visual elements are a necessity for the beauty retailer, whose products include makeup, skincare and fragrances. For Sephora and many other brands, pictures capture consumer attention, increasing interest and credibility – and leading sales generation.

Ch. 11 - Developing and Managing Products

Sephora releases many new products every year. Their main category of new products however, is the addition to existing product lines. Stating that Sephora carries over 100 different name brands, it is safe to say, there's not much out there that they already don't have! But let's focus on their own label. One of my favorite new addition to this product line is their Outrages Volume Set. This set carries a volumising mascara with a very thick brush for longer lashes (this helps give your lashes that Va Va BOOM look!) This set also includes an eye make-up remover at only a $15.00 price!

The reason why we get to enjoy products like ,Sephora's new Outrageous set, is thanks to their Research and Development team. They are constantly looking for new glamorous and most importantly,safe ideas to bring to the table. Or in this case, face!

As an increasing number of consumer-facing brands begin to think about how all of their digital touch-points work together to provide a consistent experience, marketers are focusing on best practice examples. Some of those examples are stand-outs. American beauty brand Sephora is a great example of a cosmetics retailer that doesn’t use technology to overtly focus on the transaction, but to develop how customers interact with their brand. By using technology to focus on customer needs and making their lives easier, they have gained a powerful following that has resulted in sales, fierce loyalty and passionate advocates. - See more at: http://thesocialmediamonthly.com/sephoras-world-leading-digital-platform/#sthash.qQaQycNf.dpuf

As an increasing number of consumer-facing brands begin to think about how all of their digital touch-points work together to provide a consistent experience, marketers are focusing on best practice examples. Some of those examples are stand-outs. American beauty brand Sephora is a great example of a cosmetics retailer that doesn’t use technology to overtly focus on the transaction, but to develop how customers interact with their brand. By using technology to focus on customer needs and making their lives easier, they have gained a powerful following that has resulted in sales, fierce loyalty and passionate advocates. - See more at: http://thesocialmediamonthly.com/sephoras-world-leading-digital-platform/#sthash.qQaQycNf.dpuf

As an increasing number of consumer-facing brands begin to think about how all of their digital touch-points work together to provide a consistent experience, marketers are focusing on best practice examples. Some of those examples are stand-outs. American beauty brand Sephora is a great example of a cosmetics retailer that doesn’t use technology to overtly focus on the transaction, but to develop how customers interact with their brand. By using technology to focus on customer needs and making their lives easier, they have gained a powerful following that has resulted in sales, fierce loyalty and passionate advocates. - See more at: http://thesocialmediamonthly.com/sephoras-world-leading-digital-platform/#sthash.qQaQycNf.dpuf

As an increasing number of consumer-facing brands begin to think about how all of their digital touch-points work together to provide a consistent experience, marketers are focusing on best practice examples. Some of those examples are stand-outs. American beauty brand Sephora is a great example of a cosmetics retailer that doesn’t use technology to overtly focus on the transaction, but to develop how customers interact with their brand. By using technology to focus on customer needs and making their lives easier, they have gained a powerful following that has resulted in sales, fierce loyalty and passionate advocates. - See more at: http://thesocialmediamonthly.com/sephoras-world-leading-digital-platform/#sthash.qQaQycNf.dpuf

Sephora took a leadership position early on and quickly moved beyond the hype of social media. It is now a brand that uses insights gained from customer engagement to invest in intelligent personalised interactions. For example, Sephora uses Facebook primarily for customer service, and invests more in Pinterest as a marketing platform focused on inspiration and communication. In other words, they have a specific and clear strategy for each social media platform. - See more at: http://thesocialmediamonthly.com/sephoras-world-leading-digital-platform/#sthash.qQaQycNf.dpuf

Ch. 10 - Product Concepts

Though Sephora offers a broad range of products, I have come to the conclusion that they specialize in shopping products, specialty products and unsought products.

Shopping products are products that are usually more expensive than a convenience store's products and are more likely to be found in fewer stores. And so are the products in Sephora. Though still affordable to any middle class woman, Sephora is more expensive than the products sold at your usual Pharmacy or Beauty Supply store. Also some of the name brands in Sephora won't be easy to find in those type of stores.

Specialty products are specific products that customers look for extensively. Being very reluctant to accepting substitutes. Sephora has many of these products. Whether it is an anti-wrinkle cream or lip plumping lip gloss, Sephora has it. These products are very specific and only a certain group of people seek to buy them.