The Executive Director of the Australian Retailers Association, Russell Zimmerman, today announced a new strategic partnership between the ARA and Facebook, welcoming the opportunity for deeper industry cooperation.
Commenting on the new partnership, Mr Zimmerman said a closer link between the ARA and Facebook would strengthen ties and create new ways for Australian retailers to communicate with their customers.
“Facebook provides meaningful opportunities for retailers to reach out to customers, and our collaboration will help foster those relationships,” Mr Zimmerman said.
Facebook Head of Retail, Kate Box, said the way customers shop was evolving, revealing “consumers are discovering and curating products on Facebook and Instagram and closing the purchase where they want to, whether online or instore.”
“Customers want to discover and purchase products with the least amount of friction possible. We are excited to partner with the ARA to share the insights we have on the new shopper journey, and partner with retailers so they can leverage technology like ours to drive growth,” Ms Box said.
In November, Facebook co-hosted a panel of industry experts at the exclusive Facebook Sydney Retail Study Tour, attended by ARA members who participated in a panel discussion examining key retail challenges, a zero-friction future, and developments in augmented and virtual reality.
“Our retail members will continue to reap rewards from a series of events we are planning with Facebook over the next 12 months, which will harness the benefits offered by the latest social media developments,” Mr Zimmerman said.
“The ARA is excited to be working more closely with Facebook, and looks forward to discovering the wealth of new opportunities this will open to all of our members,” Mr Zimmerman concluded.
