Mashable recently featured a post that defines and identifies current social shopping trends. The author of this piece, Clay McDaniel - a co-founder of social media marketing agency, Spring Creek Group - claims that the Internet has, “...radically changed the way we shop.” Searching for promotion codes, free shipping, free return shipping, virtual models, and online chats with sales associates have all become commonplace today. According to a study released by Burst Media, 85% of all consumers plan to do shopping online this coming holiday season and will continue to do so throughout the next year. To McDaniel points we’re are entering whole new dimension: social shopping.

What is Social Shopping?

Trends show that consumers are turning to social networks like Facebook and Twitter, coupon aggregators (ie., RetailMeNot and CouponCabin) as well as deal blogs like FatWall or Dealfinder to secure the best bargains. Consumers are then sharing the deals they discover with friends, family and social network community. This social shopping behavior is quickly gaining momentum, which is why a healthy 47% of online retailers plan to increase their social media presence this holiday season, according the National Retail Foundation.

All retailers, McDaniel says, must know what social shopping trends are gaining momentum so they can be incorporated into marketing efforts this holiday. He proceeds to supply the following 5 trends to follow.

1. Instantaneous Product Reviews

Finding the current feelings on a product, service or company these days is as easy as plugging the name into a Twitter, Twendz, or any other  search engine. This technique supplies an up-to-the-minute snapshots of consumer sentiment. What was once a tedious job of searching retail sites for reviews is now a simple process of being able to benefit from the previous work of others.

What’s more, through the help of social networking/media sites, personal opinions have the ability to reach a wide audience. Twitter and Facebook allow one to push personal reviews of products, services or businesses into desired online channels, sharing opinions with direct contacts as well as larger networks respectively.

2. Real-Time Deals

Everyone’s a skeptic these days, and it seems that Twitter has many questioning the usefulness of micro-blogging. What skeptics may fail to realize is that exclusive deals and discounts on hot-ticket items are ubiquitous on Twitter and would be reason enough for most to give it a try. Accounts with thousands of follwers such as @woot, @bingcashback, @slickdeals, @fatwallet, and more, tweet real-time deals on all sorts of wish-list products, and some of the deals are exclusively for Twitter followers. Some of these “limited-time” deals may only last for an hour or so, making it an urgent matter to complete the purchase.

3. Group Gifting

Although the concept has been around for years, group gifting has recently been updated and streamlined for greater efficiency. Thanks to several new social shopping sites, it’s now easier to join monetary forces with friends and family and to turn individually meager finances into a collectively excellent gift.

Smaller sites like Lolligift have made this idea their bread and butter, while larger retailers are just starting to catch on to the trend. For example, Best Buy recently instituted their “Pitch In” program where shoppers have the ability to register online, request the gifts they want, and send a notice to friends and relatives via e-mail or Facebook. Gift-givers are then able to sign up for the program and “pitch in” for a portion of the listed items.

4. Being “Fashion Forward” Is Now A Lot Easier

For some people, bargains and convenience are less important than fashion and style. Social media can be a useful tool in making fashion focused purchase decisions as well. Rather than waiting for the latest fashion magazine to arrive in the mailbox at home, similar information is readily available in seconds by following Twitter feeds such as @Cotorture and @highsnobiety; accounts dedicated solely to style and fashion trends. Sometimes these fashion focused sites offer special Twitter only promotions as well.

For the serious fashion addicts, various social sites have emerged like Shopflick and US Trendy that are geared towards creating online shopping communities where consumers can share thoughts, photos and video regarding what’s hip in fashion and design. Fashion experts and brands can also connect with trend-hungry shoppers.And if that wasn’t enough, more exclusive sites are also available to consumers by invitation only. Sites such as Rue La La and Gilt offer sales and offers for some of the most sought-after brands in the industry.

5. Pass On The Gift

During the holidays most consumers are shopping to give gifts. Although gift giving in someone’s honor may not be a new concept, social media helps charitable organizations increase their presence and efforts by providing a medium for givers to share their thoughts on various social channels.

The charitable organizations active in social media, such as grassroots volunteer group Heifer Portland, use the channels to promote their cause giving. They use networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter to notify gift receivers that a cow, llama, sheep, or other gift has been given on one’s behalf, who can in turn share their appreciation via Twitter or Facebook. Not only does this promote greater awareness for the cause, but a gift is also given to make this world a better place.

via Clay McDaniel @ Mashable