How C-Stores are Leveraging Social Media to Drive Loyalty

C-stores usually drag their heals on emerging trends, 
however, I’m impressed with the outcome from my 
social media findings. Some chains are further along 
than others, but it looks like even the little guys are 
drinking the social media Kool-Aid®. 

                                 

Facebook® & Pinterest® 

Most c-store chains have a Facebook® fan page, 

Unfortunately many are not current and most are

missing the customer interaction element. 7-Eleven®

and Slurpee combined lead the pack with 7+ million

Facebook® fans. I encourage you to check out their pages, 

as they are fun and shift the focus from 7-Eleven® to their fans. 

Another social media playground that 7-Eleven® dominates is

Pinterest®. There are hundreds of interesting images from around

the World, some are funny like the man carrying the enormous 

Big Gulp® cup. Pinterest® is a social media giant that c-stores need 

to leverage, it is free to use and is one of the largest social media

websites, behind Facebook and Twitter.

Shopkick™

Shopkick™ is a mobile app that is typically associated with  

retailers such as Target® and Macy’s®.  The Mid-Atlantic

Convenience Group is Exxon’s largest fuel wholesaler in

North America and also the first gas chain to test drive

shopkick®. This mobile app rewards customers with perks

for their loyalty. A smart and innovative move from MACS

as gas prices are rising shopkick® gives customers are reason

to be loyal. It also creates a bit of a treasure hunt for consumers

to interact with products inside their convenience stores.

Foursquare®

Sheetz® just rolled out an offer that rewards their

customers for checking in on foursquare®. With every

check-in, customers receive a $1 off a made-to-order

hot or frozen beverage.  Foursquare® is a mobile app

that allows people to check in at locations and then

share with their Twitter® or Facebook® friends where

they are, and if they want, they can also post a picture.

Sheetz® is not only driving incremental revenue through

additional beverage purchases, but they are also creating

a viral buzz, via Foursquare®. 

Next Steps

Nearly 51% of all cell phones are smartphones, which means

social media is at your customers’ finger tips. Leverage your

relationship with your customer by engaging with them via

mobile. 

Dedicate an entire day to look at the various social media

platforms, and see what your competition is doing. Equally

as important, look across channels and see how retailers or 

restaurants are leveraging their social media. You will gain a

different perspective and perhaps come away with innovative 

ideas for your chain.

For more powerful information about mobile marketing check

out Mind Blowing SMS Stats

Exxon Shopkick
http://chiefmarketer.com/mobile-marketing/exxonmobil-shopkick-test-check-rewards-gas-station-c-stores



Mobile Apps & C-Stores - Quotes Derek Gaskin

http://www.retailtechnology.csnews.com/top-story-mobile_apps_and_today_s_c_store-308.html


MACS launches Shopkick

http://www.csdecisions.com/2012/04/05/macs-to-offer-shopkick-in-washington-d-c-stores/