NACDS Retail Advisory Board explores social networking opportunities to engage consumers

BOSTON The Retail Advisory Board of the National Association of Chain Drug Stores met during the 2009 NACDS Marketplace Conference to discuss social networking opportunities within their businesses.

A presentation by Pete Blackshaw, EVP with Nielsen Online Digital Strategic Services, outlined how retailers and suppliers can use such consumer-generated media as blogs, social networking pages and message boards to communicate company or product information, as well as build Web forums for open communication between companies and their customers that are relevant and timely.

Blackshaw shared insights with attendees about the growing utilization of such social networks as Facebook, Twitter and other blogs and message boards as a new way of communicating with consumers.

“We appreciate the Retail Advisory Board exploring this new medium, which is evolving into a critical communication tool for reaching the industry’s consumers and gaining a better understanding of consumer trends and interests,” said NACDS president and CEO Steve Anderson.

NACDS' RAB is comprised of a cross section of retailers and manufacturers. Its mission is to advise and provide recommendations to the NACDS board of directors on timely industry issues affecting the broad NACDS membership base, thereby promoting changes and enhancements that further increases NACDS’ value to its members.