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MARCH 28, 2016 Of the world’s 7.4 billion inhabitants, approximately 46% are Internet users, and approximately twothirds of that group are active social media users. Adults spent an average of 109 minutes per day in 2015 on social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, according to a survey of 50,000 Internet users around the world. The global ecommerce market is estimated to be $2 trillion this year and is expected to grow 20+% annually through 2019. In a recent survey, nearly half (45%) of the digital shoppers polled worldwide said that reading reviews, comments and feedback influenced their buying decisions, and 16% of respondents said that they purchased products directly via a social media channel. Social Selling DEBORAH WEINSWIG MANAGING DIRECTOR, FUNG GLOBAL RETAIL & TECHNOLOGY [email protected] US: 646.839.7017 HK: 852.6119.1779 CHN: 86.186.1420.3016

Social Selling - Li & Fung...purchasedproducts!directly!via!a!social!media!channel.! Social Selling DEBORAH WEINSWIG MANAGING DIRECTOR, FUNG GLOBAL RETAIL & TECHNOLOGY [email protected]

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1  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

• Of   the   world’s   7.4   billion   inhabitants,   approximately  46%  are  Internet  users,  and  approximately  two-­‐thirds  of  that  group  are  active  social  media  users.  

• Adults  spent  an  average  of  109  minutes  per  day  in  2015  on   social   media   sites   such   as   Facebook,   Twitter   and  Instagram,   according   to   a   survey   of   50,000   Internet  users  around  the  world.  

• The   global   e-­‐commerce   market   is   estimated   to   be   $2  trillion  this  year  and  is  expected  to  grow  20+%  annually  through  2019.  

• In   a   recent   survey,   nearly   half   (45%)   of   the   digital  shoppers   polled   worldwide   said   that   reading   reviews,  comments   and   feedback   influenced   their   buying  decisions,   and   16%   of   respondents   said   that   they  purchased  products  directly  via  a  social  media  channel.  

Social Selling

D E B O R A H W E I N S W I G

M A N A G I N G D I R E C T O R , F U N G G L O B A L R E T A I L & T E C H N O L O G Y d e b o r a h w e i n s w i g @ f u n g 1 9 3 7 . c o m

U S : 6 4 6 . 8 3 9 . 7 0 1 7 H K : 8 5 2 . 6 1 1 9 . 1 7 7 9

C H N : 8 6 . 1 8 6 . 1 4 2 0 . 3 0 1 6

 

2  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Social Selling EXECUTIVE  SUMMARY  Adults   spent   an   average   of   109  minutes   per   day   in   2015   on   social  media  sites   such   as   Facebook,   Twitter   and   Instagram,   according   to   a  GlobalWebIndex   survey   of   50,000   Internet   users   around   the   world.   That  figure   represents   a   9%   increase   from   100  minutes   in   2014,  which  was,   in  turn,   up   from  96  minutes   in   2013.   The   same   study   found   that  more   than  92%  of  adult  Internet  users  surveyed  have  at  least  one  social  media  account  and  that  78%  are  active  on  at   least  one  account;  the  average  user  actively  participates  in  3.5  social  networks.    

Given  users’  strong  attachment  to  their  social  media  accounts,  it  is  logical  to  attempt   to   connect   the   channel   to   the   global   e-­‐commerce   market   is  estimated  to  be  $2  trillion  this  year  and  is  expected  to  grow  20+%  annually  through   2019.   In   a   recent   survey   by   PwC,   nearly   half   (45%)   of   the   digital  shoppers   polled   worldwide   said   that   reading   reviews,   comments   and  feedback   influenced   their   buying   decisions,   and   16%   of   respondents   said  that   they   purchased   products   directly   via   a   social   media   channel,   as  illustrated  in  the  figure  below.  

Figure   1.  Which   of   the   Following   Aspects   of   Social  Media   Influence   Your   Online  Shopping  Behavior?  

 

Source:  PwC,  Total  Retail  2016:  They  Say  They  Want  a  Revolution  

Each  country  possesses  a  unique  social-­‐shopping  environment.  While  users  in  most  countries  generally  rely  on  Facebook,  Google+  and  Twitter,  social  e-­‐commerce   on   these   platforms   is   not   as   well   developed   as   it   is   on   the  WeChat  Wallet  and  Alipay  platforms   in  China.  Specifically,  US  social  media  companies  have  only  recently  added  a  “Buy”  button  to  their  platforms,  and  their  platforms  are  not  largely  available  in  China.  In  this  report,  we  explore  some  of  these  and  other  regional  differences   in  social  networks  and  social  shopping.  

45%  

44%  

30%  

25%  

22%  

20%  

16%  

Reading  reviews,  comments  and  feedback  

Receiving  promohonal  offerings  

Viewing  adverhsements  

Staying  on  top  of  current  fashion  and  product  trends  

Wrihng  reviews,  comments  and  feedback  

Associahng  with  parhcular  brands  and  retailers  

Purchasing  products  directly  via  a  social  media  channel  

 

3  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

GEOGRAPHICAL  DIFFERENCES  Of   the   world’s   7.4   billion   inhabitants,   approximately   46%   are   Internet   users,  and   approximately   two-­‐thirds   of   that   group   are   active   social   media   users.  Across  the  globe,  there  are  nearly  38  billion  mobile  connections,  and  more  than  half   of   them   consist   of   active   users   of   mobile   social   media   (source:   We   Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016).  

Figure  2.  Overview  of  Global  Internet  and  Social  Media  Usage  (Mil.)     Americas   Europe   Asia-­‐Pacific   World  

Total  Population   997     838   4,116   7,395  

Active  Internet  Users   665   616   1,662   3,419  

Active  Social  Media  Users   511   393   1,211   2,307  

Mobile  Connections   1,072   1,102   3,860   3,790  

Active  Mobile  Social  Users   437   305   1,066   1,968  

Selected   Top   Social   Media  Platforms  

Facebook  Facebook  Messenger  

Instagram  Pinterest  Twitter  

Facebook  Facebook  Messenger  

Google+  Twitter  

WhatsApp  

Blackberry  Messenger  Facebook  

Line  Sina  Weibo  

Qzone  Twitter  WeChat  

Facebook  Facebook  Messenger  

QQ  Qzone  

WeChat  WhatsApp  

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

The  top  three  social  media  platforms  globally  are  Facebook,  WhatsApp  and  QQ.  

Figure  3.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms,  Worldwide  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

1,590  

900  

860  

800  653  

650  

555  400  

320  

300  

300  249  

222  212  200  

122  

100  

100  100  100  

Facebook  WhatsApp  

QQ  Facebook  Messenger  

Qzone  WeChat  Tumblr  

Instagram  Twimer  Skype  

Baidu  Tieba  Viber  

Sina  Weibo  Line  

Snapchat  YY  

Vkontakte  Pinterest  

Blackberry  Messenger  LinkedIn  

 

4  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

INTRODUCTION  TO  SOCIAL  SELLING  Social  media  has  revolutionized  our  lives,  enabling  people  across  the  globe  to   connect   and   converse   in  many  ways.   People   discuss   people   and   things  that   are   important   to   them   on   social   media   and,   increasingly,   use   these  platforms   to  seek  out  and  obtain  product   information,  whereas  previously  they  might   have   asked   friends   or   colleagues   for   product   information   and  recommendations.

   

When  the  topic  of  social  selling  is  mentioned,  most  people  think  of  friends  recommending  certain  products  or  services  to  their  other   friends  on  social  media.   However,   both   retailers   and   brands   can   operate   their   own   social  media  platforms  and  communications,  through  which  they  can  interact  with  and  influence  (and  be  influenced  by)  consumers.  Retailers,  for  example,  can  offer   their   own  pages   on   social  media,   share   reviews   and   comments,   and  provide  a  platform  for  purchasing,  as  shown  in  the  figure  below.  

Figure  4.  Retailer  Social  Media  Universe  

 

Source:  Epsilon,  Digital  Shopping  Tool  Impact  Study  2015  

amladigital.com  

 

5  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

The   social  media  universe   for  brands   is   very   similar   to   that  of   retailers,   as  seen   in   the   figure  below,  except   that  many  brands  also  offer  coupons  and  carry  on  a  dialogue  with  consumers.  

Figure  5.  Brand  Social  Media  Universe  

 

Source:  Epsilon,  Digital  Shopping  Tool  Impact  Study  2015  

In   the  graph  below,   from  a  study  conducted  by  Epsilon,  we  see  that  social  media   represents   three   of   the   top   five   digital   influences   on   shopping   and  that  the  influence  of  retailers  and  brands  exceeds  that  of  friends.  

Figure   6.   How   the   Digital   Tool   Influences   Your   Shopping   (%   Saying   “I   try   new  brands  and  products”)  

 

Source:  Epsilon,  Digital  Shopping  Tool  Impact  Study  2015  

29%  

28%  

23%  

23%  

22%  

21%  

18%  

18%  

17%  

16%  

16%  

15%  

15%  

14%  

14%  

13%  

13%  

13%  

11%  

Retailer  social  

Brand  social  

Printable  coupons  

Daily  deal  sites  

Friend  social  

Product  reviews  

Mobile  payment  

Brand  texts  

Shopping  apps  

Brand  emails  

LTC  coupons  

Mobile  coupons  

Brand  websites  

Retailer  emails  

QR  codes  

Search  engines  

Retailer  texts  

Price  comp  sites  

Retailer  websites  

 

6  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

When  comparing  the  behavioral  impact  of  digital  tools  on  the  consumer  to  the   utility   they   offer,   we   see   that   social   selling   from   both   retailers   and  brands   ranks   very   high   in   terms   of   behavioral   impact   and   ranks   above  average   in  terms  of  utility.  Moreover,   in   its  2015  study,  Epsilon  found  that  retailers’   and   brands’   digital   tools   had   increased   in   terms   of   both   impact  and  utility  since  the  prior  survey  was  conducted  in  2013.  

Figure  7.  Digital  Tool  Impact  Matrix  

Source:  Epsilon,  Digital  Shopping  Tool  Impact  Study  2015  

SOCIAL  SELLING—US  Of   the   323  million   inhabitants   of   the   US,   approximately   87%   are   Internet  users,  and  approximately  68%  of   that  group  are  active   social  media  users.  The   country   features  more   than  340  million  mobile   connections,   of  which  nearly  half  are  active  users  of  mobile  social  media.  

   

   

Scoop.it  

 

7  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Figure  8.  Snapshot  of  Key  Digital  Indicators—US  

Metric   Value  (Mil.)  

Total  Population   323  

Active  Internet  Users   282  

Active  Social  Media  Users   192  

Mobile  Connections   342  

Active  Mobile  Social  Users   169  

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

 

The   top   three   social   media   platforms   in   the   US   are   Facebook,   Facebook  Messenger  and  Twitter.  

Figure  9.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—US  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

Social   shopping   in   the   US   has   evolved   from   a   strong   base   in   pure   social  networking:   e-­‐commerce   and   payment   functions   have   been   grafted   onto  established  social  media  platforms,  in  most  cases  through  the  addition  of  a  “Buy”   or   “Buy  Now”   button.   Below,  we   profile   selected   companies   in   the  social-­‐shopping  space.  

eBay   is   a   global   leader   in   e-­‐commerce,   via   its  Marketplace,   StubHub   and  Classifieds   platforms.   The   company   was   founded   in   September   1995   and  completed   its   IPO   in   September   1998.   In   2008,   eBay   began   soliciting   user  feedback   to   generate   seller   ratings.   Users   could   rate   sellers   on   a   scale   of  

41%  

17%  

15%  

15%  

12%  

11%  

26%  

11%  

9%  

7%  

Facebook  

Facebook    Messenger  

Twimer  

Pinterest  

Instagram  

Google+  

LinkedIn  

Snapchat  

Skype  

Tumblr  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

8  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

one   to   five   stars;   the   ratings  were   anonymous  but   available   to   all   buyers.  PowerSellers  are  eBay  vendors  with  a  rating  of  4.5  or  higher  out  of  5  stars.  In  addition  to  stars,  buyers  and  sellers  can  leave  a  short  text  review  of  each  other,  describing  their  experience.  Buyers  can  also  contact  sellers  during  the  bidding  process  to  ask  questions  about  the  items  for  sale.  

Facebook   is  a   social  media  company   that  enables  users   to  share  opinions,  ideas,  photos  and  videos  on  desktops  and  mobile  devices  via   its  Facebook,  Instagram,  Messenger  and  WhatsApp  platforms.  Facebook  was  launched  in  February   2004   and   completed   its   IPO   in   February   2012.   Building   on   its  global   social   media   platform,   in   July   2014,   Facebook   began   adding   e-­‐commerce   capabilities   to   its   platform   via   “Buy”   buttons   and   testing   the  buttons’   functionality.   Facebook  also  enables  users   to   submit  payments   in  order  to  purchase  virtual  and  digital  goods  from  developers,  as  well  as  make  charity  donations  and  purchase  items  within  sale  groups.  

Google+,  which  was  launched  in  June  2011,  represents  Google’s  entry   into  social   networking.   The   platform   offers   interest-­‐based   communities,   the  grouping  of  different  types  of  relationships  into  Circles,  multi-­‐person  instant  messaging,   a   text   and   video   chat   platform   called   Hangouts,   as   well   as  events,  location  tagging,  and  the  ability  to  edit  photos  and  upload  them  to  albums.   In   July   2015,   the   company   launched   Purchases   on   Google,   which  enables  consumers  to  make  purchases  from  mobile  ads;  after  clicking  on  a  “Buy”  button  in  an  ad,  they  are  taken  to  a  product  purchase  page.  

Instagram   is   a   social-­‐networking  platform   that  enables   the  mobile   sharing  of   photos   and   videos.   The   service  was   created   in   October   2010   as   a   free  mobile   app,   and   Facebook   acquired   it   in   April   2012   for   approximately   $1  billion  in  cash  and  stock.  The  platform  started  hosting  advertising  in  October  2013,  and  in  June  2015  it  began  offering  e-­‐commerce  and  buttons  for  other  functions,  including  “Shop  Now,”  “Install  Now”  and  “Sign  Up.”  

Pinterest,   founded   in   2010,   is   a   web   and  mobile   application   platform   on  which  users  can  upload,  save,  sort  and  manage  images  (called  Pins)  or  other  content   in   collections   called   Pin   Boards.   In   June   2015,   the   company  announced  it  was  adding  Buyable  Pins  to  its  platform;  these  are  signified  by  the  presence  of  blue  “Buy  It”  buttons  on  the  site’s  pages.  

Polyvore  is  a  social  commerce  website  fueled  by  members  of  a  community  that  curate  products  within  a  shared  product  index  and  use  them  to  create  collages  called  Sets.  The  site  primarily   features   interior  design  and   fashion  offerings.  

Twitter  is  a  platform  for  public  self-­‐expression  and  conversation  in  real  time  that  can  be  accessed  around  the  world  instantly.  The  content  is  unfiltered,  and   users   can   access   it   via   the   Twitter   website,   the   Twitter   mobile  application   and   text  message.   Twitter  messages,   called   tweets,   cannot   be  longer  than  140  characters.  The  company  was  founded  in  March  2006  and  completed  its   IPO  in  November  2013.   In   late  2014,  Twitter  began  testing  a  “Buy  Now”  button,  which  was  officially  launched  in  September  2015.  

YouTube   is   a   video-­‐sharing   website   where   users   can   upload,   view,   rate,  share   and   comment   on   user-­‐generated   and   corporate   videos,   including,  increasingly,   full-­‐length   videos   of   TV   shows   and   movies.   YouTube   was  founded   in   February   2005   and   acquired   by  Google   in  November   2006   for  

 

9  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

$1.7  billion.  The  YouTube  platform  offers  “Click-­‐to-­‐Shop”  buttons  that  take  visitors  to  the  websites  of  the  brands  featured  in  videos,  where  viewers  can  then  purchase  products.  

SOCIAL  SELLING—ASIA-­‐PACIFIC  

Asia  encompasses  a  diverse  group  of  countries  that  are  home  to  more  than  4  billion  people,  more  than  half  of  the  world’s  total  population.  More  than  40%  of  people  in  Asia  are  Internet  users,  and  nearly  two-­‐thirds  of  that  group  are  active  social  media  users.  The  continent  features  nearly  4  billion  mobile  connections,  of  which  more  than  a  quarter  are  active  users  of  mobile  social  media.  

The  top  social  media  platforms  vary  by  country  in  Asia,  and  include  Qzone,  Sina  Weibo  and  WeChat   in  China  and  Line,  Facebook  and  Twitter   in  Japan.  The  KakaoTalk  and  KakaoStory  social-­‐networking  platforms  are  the  number-­‐one   and   number-­‐three   platforms   in   South   Korea,   but   are   not   reflected   in  other  countries.  Meanwhile,  Blackberry  Messenger  is  popular  in  Indonesia.  

Figure  10.  Snapshot  of  Key  Digital  Indicators—Asia-­‐Pacific  (Mil.)  Metric   Value  

Total  Population   4,116  

Active  Internet  Users   1,662  

Active  Social  Media  Users   1,211  

Mobile  Connections   3,860  

Active  Mobile  Social  Users   1,066  

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

Below,  we  profile  the  top  social  media  apps  in  selected  Asian  countries  that  have  large  populations:  China,  India,  Indonesia  and  Japan.  

CHINA  

China   boasts   an   extremely   well-­‐developed   infrastructure   of   social-­‐networking  and  mobile  payments  companies.  Tencent’s  WeChat  Wallet  and  Alibaba’s   Alipay   Wallet   are   the   biggest   players   in   the   Chinese   mobile  payments  market,  and  Alipay  currently  has  the  dominant  share.  

Tencent’s   initial   mobile   payment   offering,   Tenpay,   was   rebranded   as  WeChat  Wallet  in  2014.  Its  service  offerings  allow  consumers  to  order  taxis,  book   movie   tickets,   receive   geographically   targeted   coupons,   make  payments  to  other  people  and  make  online  bill  payments.  

Alipay,  operated  by  Alibaba’s  Ant  Financial  subsidiary,  was  launched  in  2004  as   a   third-­‐party   online   payment   solution.   It   enables   users   to  make   online  payments,   such   as   for   purchases   on   Alibaba’s   shopping   platforms,   and   to  transfer   money.   The   Alipay   Wallet   product   focuses   on   mobile   payments,  and   its   functions   include   easy   shopping   on   Alibaba’s   e-­‐commerce   retail  platforms,   online   bill   payment   and   in-­‐store   (i.e.,   offline)   payment   via   QR  code  scanning.  

The  top  three  social  media  platforms  in  China  are  WeChat,  Qzone  and  Sina  Weibo.  

 

10  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Figure  11.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—China  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

INDIA  

In  India,  the  top  three  social  media  platforms  are  Facebook,  WhatsApp  and  Facebook  Messenger.  

Figure  12.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—India  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

   

21%  

16%  

14%  

12%  

6%  

5%  

5%  

3%  

24%  

4%  

WeChat  

Qzone  

Sina  Weibo  

Baidu  Tieba  

Tencent  Weibo  

Renren  

Facebook  

Kaixin001  

Facebook  Messenger  

51.com  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

13%  

10%  

10%  

8%  

7%  

7%  

12%  

11%  

8%  

6%  

Facebook  

WhatsApp  

Facebook  Messenger  

Google+  

Skype  

Twimer  

Hike  Messenger  

LinkedIn  

Instagram  

WeChat  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

11  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

INDONESIA  

In   Indonesia,   the   top   three   social   media   platforms   are   BlackBerry  Messenger,  Facebook  and  WhatsApp.  

Figure  13.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—Indonesia  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

JAPAN  

Japan’s  list  of  leading  social  media  platforms  differs  markedly  from  China’s,  with   the  number-­‐one  position  occupied  by   Line,   an  application   for   instant  communication   on   smartphones,   tablets   and   PCs.   Other   top   social   media  platforms  in  Japan  include  Facebook  and  Twitter.  

Figure  14.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—Japan  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

15%  

12%  

12%  

10%  

7%  

19%  

14%  

13%  

11%  

8%  

BlackBerry  Messenger  

Facebook  

WhatsApp  

Facebook  Messenger  

Google+  

Line  

Twimer  

Instagram  

WeChat  

Pinterest  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

17%  

15%  

5%  

3%  

2%  

2%  

2%  

1%  

25%  

3%  

Line  

Facebook  

Twimer  

Mixi  

Facebook  Messenger  

Ameblo  

Instagram  

Google+  

Mobage  

Gree  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

12  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

SOCIAL  SELLING—EUROPE  Of  Europe’s  838  million   inhabitants,  approximately  74%  are  Internet  users,  and   approximately   64%   of   that   group   are   active   social   media   users.   The  continent   features  more   than  1  billion  mobile  connections,  of  which  more  than  one  quarter  are  active  users  of  mobile  social  media.  

Figure  15.  Snapshot  of  Key  Digital  Indicators—Europe  (Mil.)  

Metric   Value  

Total  Population   838  

Active  Internet  Users   616  

Active  Social  Media  Users   393  

Mobile  Connections   1,102  

Active  Mobile  Social  Users   305  

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

While   the   top   platforms   vary   by   country   in   Europe,   Facebook,   Facebook  Messenger,  Google+  and  WhatsApp  are  popular   in  a  number  of   countries.  Below,  we  profile  the  top  social  media  apps  in  the  four  largest  countries  in  Western  Europe:  France,  Germany,  Italy  and  the  UK.  

FRANCE  

In   France,   the   top   three   social   media   platforms   are   Facebook,   Facebook  Messenger  and  Google+.  

Figure  16.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—France  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

 

   

43%  

11%  

11%  

7%  

6%  

5%  

22%  

9%  

8%  

7%  

Facebook  

Facebook  Messenger  

Google+  

Twimer  

Snapchat  

Skype  

WhatsApp  

Instagram  

LinkedIn  

Pinterest  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

13  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

GERMANY  

The  top  three  social  media  platforms  in  Germany  are  WhatsApp,  Facebook  and  Facebook  Messenger.  

Figure  17.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—Germany  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

ITALY  

The  top  three  social  media  platforms   in   Italy  are  Facebook,  WhatsApp  and  Facebook  Messenger.  

Figure  18.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—Italy  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

38%  

9%  

7%  

7%  

7%  

3%  

39%  

20%  

10%  

4%  

WhatsApp  

Facebook  

Facebook  Messenger  

Skype  

Google+  

Instagram  

Twimer  

Pinterest  

Snapchat  

LinkedIn  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

33%  

14%  

12%  

12%  

9%  

6%  

30%  

23%  

12%  

6%  

Facebook  

WhatsApp  

Facebook  Messenger  

Google+  

Instagram  

Twimer  

Skype  

LinkedIn  

Pinterest  

Viber  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

14  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

UK  

The   top   three   social   media   platforms   in   the   UK   are   Facebook,   Facebook  Messenger  and  WhatsApp.  

Figure  19.  Top  Active  Social  Platforms—UK  

 

Source:  We  Are  Social,  Digital  in  2016  

THE  POWER  OF  INFLUENCERS  Social  media   influencers  wield  enormous  power   in  terms  of  engaging  their  followers.   They   can   be   celebrities   or   non-­‐celebrities,   but   the   biggest   ones  have  all  achieved   large   followings  on  social  media  platforms,  and  can  help  brands  reach  new  audiences,   raise  awareness,   influence  consideration  and  help  build  loyalty  to  a  product.  There  are  social  media  influencers  active  in  all  areas,  hobbies  and   interests,   from  sports  to   lifestyle  to   family  values  to  entertainment.   The   hypothetical   example   below   demonstrates   how   an  influencer  would  use  multiple  social  media  platforms  to  promote  donuts.  

Figure  20.  Use  of  Multiple  Social  Media  Platforms  to  Promote  a  Category  

 

Source:  BBDO  Digital  Lab  

47%  

20%  

14%  

10%  

10%  

8%  

32%  

24%  

13%  

12%  

Facebook  

Facebook  Messenger  

WhatsApp  

Twimer  

Instagram  

Skype  

Snapchat  

Google+  

LinkedIn  

Pinterest  

Social  Network   Messenger/Chat  App/VoIP  

 

15  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

The   power   of   influencers   to   generate   page   views   and   consideration   is  enormous.   The   table   below   illustrates   several   examples   of   influencers  helping   companies—including   traditional   brands   such   as   General   Electric  and  Hewlett-­‐Packard—generate  positive  results.  

Figure  21.  Influencer  Case  Studies  Brand   Influencer/Followers   Platform   Results  

General  Electric  Marcus   Johns,   Jerome   Jarre  Total  of  11.5  million  followers   Vine  

Videos  that  GE  shared  on  its  own  account  

Hewlett-­‐Packard  @finalcutking  1.8  million  followers   Vine  

Turned   videos   into  30-­‐second  TV  spot  

Nike  

@_gabrielflores  

122,520  followers   Instagram   6,588  posts  

Target  Joy   Cho/Oh   Joy!  13  million  followers   Pinterest  

More   than   825,000  followers  

Warby  Parker  @JayZombie    234,314  followers   Twitter  

670,000   views   and   a  4X  increase  in  traffic  

Source:  BBDO  Digital  Lab  

 

PEER-­‐TO-­‐PEER  ONLINE  COMMUNITIES  Consumers   often   turn   to   advice   from   peers   and   reviews   when   making  purchase   decisions,   and   the   recent   PwC   survey   found   that   45%   of  respondents   said   that   reviews,   comments   and   feedback   influence   their  shopping   behavior.   In   response   to   consumers’   preference   for   getting  information   from   peers,   many   retailers   have   created   peer-­‐to-­‐peer   online  communities   based   on   the   concept   of   social   networks.   In   these  communities,   consumers   can   discuss   products,   offer   guidance   to  purchasers,  and  follow  the  guidance  of  experts  or  coaches.  Companies  such  as  Apple,  Bosch,  Kraft   Foods  and  Nike  have   launched  online   communities,  and  TokyWoky,  a  French  startup,  offers  online  peer-­‐to-­‐peer  communication  services  to  brands  and  retailers.  

 

 “BUY”  BUTTONS  “Buy”  buttons  are  not  new—Amazon  patented  a  version  of  one  way  back  in  1999—but  in  recent  years,  they  have  proliferated  on  social  media,  and  most  major   platforms   have   tested   them   in   some   form.  With   a   few   exceptions,  though,   the   technology   has   not   been   widely   adopted   by   platforms   that  were   not   traditionally   used   for   e-­‐commerce.   Consumer   adoption   has   also  been   slow,   although   quantitative   data   on   “Buy”   button   usage   is   scarce.  However,  there  is  a  major  need  to  make  shopping  on  mobile  devices  easier,  so  as  companies  continue  to  test  these  buttons,  and  as  new  entrants  disrupt  the   space,   these   buttons   have   the   potential   to   change   the   face   of   e-­‐commerce.  

   

 

16  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

Figure  22.  History  of  “Buy”  Buttons  

Date   Event  

September  1997   Amazon   applies   for   a   patent   on   a   “method   and   system   for   placing   a   purchase   order   via   a  communications  network.”  

September  1999   Amazon’s  patent  is  approved;  it  includes  a  method  for  ordering  in  a  single,  “1-­‐Click,”  action.  

October  1999   Amazon   files  a   lawsuit  against  Barnes  &  Noble   for  using  an  “Express  Lane”   feature  on   its  e-­‐commerce  platform   that  allows   for   single-­‐action  purchases.  Amazon  eventually  wins  and   its  patent  is  upheld.  

July  2014   Facebook  begins  testing  a  “Buy”  button.  

July  2014   Twitter  begins  testing  its  “Buy  Now”  button.  

June  2015   Pinterest   announces   the   creation  of  Buyable  Pins,   saying   sellers  will   soon  be  able   to  pay   to  further  promote  these  Pins.  

June  2015   Instagram  announces  the  release  of  a  “Shop  Now”  button  in  ads.  

July  2015   Google  announces  the  addition  of  a  “Buy”  button  that  will  appear  in  the  ad  section  of  mobile  searches.  

September  2015   Twitter  expands  the  availability  of  its  “Buy  Now”  button,  making  it  available  to  any  merchant  that  uses  Demandware,  Bigcommerce  or  Shopify.  

October  2015   Pinterest  announces  a  major  expansion  of  its  Buyable  Pins  program.  

September  2017   Amazon’s  patent  on  1-­‐Click  is  set  to  expire.  

Source:  US  Patent  and  Trademark  Office/company  press  releases  

A   “Buy”   button   is   simply   a   responsive   button   or   clickable   link   that   is  embedded  into  either  a  web  page  or  social  media  page  in  order  to  enable  e-­‐commerce.   Clicking   the   button   allows   the   site   or   app   visitor   to   directly  purchase  a  product  or  service  without  having  to  go  to  a  separate  retailer’s  site   or   payment   service.   Increasingly,   social   media   platforms   are   testing  such   buttons,   although   different   platforms   refer   to   them   by   different  names.   For  example,   Instagram  now  has  a   series  of   call-­‐to-­‐action  buttons,  labeled   “Shop   Now,”   “Install   Now,”   “Sign   Up”   and   “Learn   More.”   On  Pinterest,  users  can  click  a  “Buy  It”  button  on  pages  that  are  called  Buyable  Pins.   Regardless   of   their   names,   the   buttons   all   serve   the   same   basic  purpose—and  their  effectiveness  is  still  to  be  seen.  

 

 

17  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

A  2014  study  by  researchers  at  the  University  of  Massachusetts  Dartmouth  that  focused  solely  on  millennials  shed  some  light  on  their  willingness  to  use  these  buttons.  The  researchers  surveyed  a  diverse  group  of  405  millennials,  ages  14–33,  and  found  that  35%  of  those  surveyed  said  they  are  likely  to  use  a  “Buy”  button  on  Facebook  and  24%  are  likely  to  use  one  on  Twitter.  

Figure  23.  Likelihood  of  Millennials  to  Use  “Buy”  Buttons  on  Facebook  and  Twitter  

Source:  University  of  Massachusetts  Dartmouth  Survey  

There  are  three  main   ideas  driving  “Buy”  button  adoption:   increased  use  of  mobile  devices,  shopping  cart  abandonment  and  the  serendipity  of  shoppers  finding  additional  items  they  were  not  originally  searching  for.  Mobile  device  users  tend  to  prefer  apps  to  websites,  as  small  screens  and  poorly  optimized  websites   can   make   it   difficult   and   time   consuming   to   navigate   between  different  apps  and  websites  on  a  mobile  device.  This  difficulty  makes  mobile  shopping  a  frustrating  experience  for  some,  and  presents  an  opportunity  for  retailers  that  incorporate  “Buy”  buttons  into  their  apps.  Leading  e-­‐commerce  and  social-­‐media  companies  implement  these  buttons  in  different  ways:  

• Amazon,   a   pioneer   and   leader   in   e-­‐commerce,   introduced   its   1-­‐Click  ordering   method   in   1999,   but   its   key   patent   is   due   to   expire   in  September  2017.  

• eBay   offers   a   “Buy   It   Now”   button   on   many   auctions,   which   enables  users  to  immediately  purchase  an  item  (at  a  predetermined  price)  rather  than  having  to  participate  in  the  standard  online  auction  process.  

• Facebook   is   still   testing   its   “Buy”   button,  which   is   currently   limited   to  items  from  a  few  small  and  medium-­‐sized  US  businesses.  The  button  can  be  found  in  News  Feed  ads,  and  it  enables  the  user  to  purchase  an  item  without  having  to  leave  the  Facebook  site.  

• Google  has  created  Purchases  on  Google,  which  enables  the  user  to  click  on  a  product  ad  and  be  taken  to  a  microsite  within  Google  that  has  the  look   and   feel   of   the   retailer’s   site.   There,   the   user   can   purchase   the  product  featured  in  the  ad  or  other  products  from  the  same  company.  

• Instagram  is  currently  testing  “Buy”  buttons  within  ads  in  Spain.  

• Pinterest   is   likely   the   leader   in   using   these   buttons   on   a   social   media  platform;   millions   of   products   are   now   available   via   the   company’s  Buyable  Pins  functionality.  

7%  

28%   27%  

36%  

2%  5%  

9%  

24%  

46%  

5%  

Very  Likely   Somewhat  Likely  

Somewhat  Unlikely  

Very  Unlikely   No  Response  

If  Facebook  and  Twiher  had  a  “buy”  buhon,  how  likely  would  you  be  to  use  it  to  make  a  purchase?  

Facebook   Twimer  

 

18  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

• Shopify   is  a   leading  e-­‐commerce  platform  that  enables  users  to  embed  “Buy”  buttons  on  their  own  websites.  Shopify  users  can  also  use  a  “Buy  Now”  button  on  Twitter.  

• Twitter’s  “Buy  Now”  button  allows  users  to  purchase  products  with  two  clicks:   the   first   click   is  on   the  button  and   the  second  click  confirms   the  purchase.  

• YouTube  allows  users  to  directly  purchase  from  retailer-­‐produced  videos  and   advertisements,   as   well   as   place   “Buy”   buttons   in   other   people’s  videos  (if  those  users  have  opted  in).  

Another   challenge   that   these   buttons   can   help   alleviate   is   shopping   cart  abandonment.  The  online  retail  market  was  worth  approximately  $1.6  trillion  in   2015,   according   to   eMarketer.   However,   shoppers   filled   up   their   online  carts  with  an  estimated  $4  trillion  worth  of  goods  and  services  that  they  later  abandoned  without  purchasing.  The  graph  below,  based  on  a  2012  Worldpay  survey  of  19,000  consumers,  shows  that  shoppers  abandon  their  online  carts  for   a   variety   of   reasons   other   than   price   concerns,   including   difficulties  during  the  checkout  process  and  concerns  about  security.  

Figure  24.  Reasons  for  Not  Completing  Online  Purchases  

Source:  Worldpay  

For   more   information   on   “Buy”   buttons,   please   refer   to   our   Buy   Buttons  report,  published  February  16,  2016.  

0%   10%   20%   30%   40%   50%   60%  

Presented  with  unexpected  costs  

Just  browsing  

Found  a  bemer  price  elsewhere  

Overall  price  too  expensive  

Decided  against  buying  

Website  navigahon  too  complicated  

Website  crashed  

Process  taking  too  long  

Excessive  payment  security  checks  

Concerns  about  payment  security  

Delivery  ophons  were  unsuitable  

Website  hme  out  

Price  presented  in  a  foreign  currency  

Payment  declined  

Why  do  online  shoppers  leave  without  paying?  

 

19  

MARCH  28,  2016  

DEBORAH  WEINSWIG,  MANAGING  DIRECTOR,  FUNG  GLOBAL  RETAIL  &  TECHNOLOGY  [email protected]    US:  917.655.6790    HK:  852.6119.1779    CN:  86.186.1420.3016  Copyright  ©  2016  The  Fung  Group.  All  rights  reserved.  

CONCLUSION  Social   networks   are   compelling   platforms   for   selling   products,   given  consumers’   strong   relationships  with   them,  and   the   fact   that   the  global  e-­‐commerce   market   is   massive   (worth   an   estimated   $2   trillion).   Although  several  US-­‐based  social  media  platforms  are  popular  worldwide,  consumers’  favorite   social   platforms   vary   by   country   and   also   by   level   of   integration  with  electronic  payment  networks.  As   the  power  of  online   influencers  and  peer-­‐to-­‐peer  communities  continues  to  grow,  and  as  more  social  networks  incorporate  “Buy”  button  technology,  social  networks’  share  of  online  sales  is  sure  to  grow.  

 

Deborah  Weinswig,  CPA  Managing  Director  Fung  Global  Retail  &  Technology  New  York:  917.655.6790    Hong  Kong:  852.6119.1779  China:  86.186.1420.3016  [email protected]    John  Harmon,  CFA  Senior  Analyst    HONG  KONG:  10th  Floor,  LiFung  Tower  888  Cheung  Sha  Wan  Road,  Kowloon  Hong  Kong  Tel:  852  2300  2470    LONDON:  242-­‐246  Marylebone  Road  London,  NW1  6JQ  United  Kingdom  Tel:    44  (0)20  7616  8988    NEW  YORK:  1359  Broadway,  9th  Floor  New  York,  NY  10018  Tel:  646  839  7017    FBICGROUP.COM