Slurp gets flashy with social media

 How do you turn the obvious potential of social networks into hard sales and profits?  Much time and effort is spent tweeting and Facebook networking but has any company really cracked how to convert these efforts into hard cash?

One UK online retailer believes they have hit on the solution.  This is to combine the buzz of a ‘Flash Sale’ - offering an eye-watering discount for a short period of time - with a social media campaign, which encourages customers to forward and circulate the offer.

In a pioneering twist on the concept, Slurp.co.uk’s Flash Sales will only be announced on Facebook and Twitter with other customers then becoming aware as the message goes viral across the social networks.  The sales will start this month according to a schedule known only at Slurp HQ.

By announcing the Flash Sales on Twitter and Facebook at varying times of the day and night with no prior notice, Slurp.co.uk believes they will capture more new followers, friends and - ultimately - customers than a traditional social media campaign could.

Slurp.co.uk CEO Dr Jeremy Howard explains, “Social networking is central to the sales strategies of the future as customers will increasingly look to each other and their networks for recommendations and information.  We want to tap into this seam of information and, by going beyond standard discount vouchers and email offers, we will increase our customer interaction and the immediacy of our website.

“We think this type of sale is going to revolutionise online retailing - re-creating the mayhem, fun and excitement of the traditional January sale online for our growing number of friends and followers.”

About Slurp.co.uk
Slurp is a fast-growing alcoholic beverage retailer in the UK.  Founded in 2006, and backed by a venture capital firm, Slurp.co.uk is run by former Goldman Sachs investment banker Dr Jeremy Howard and ex-Fashion Industry executive Nico Sunnucks.  The company boasts one of the largest ranges of drinks products available, with almost 6,500 wines, spirits and specialist beers.  Slurp.co.uk says it aims to be the Amazon.com of the UK beverage sector, combining a huge range with innovative online tools like the wine and food pairing Online Sommelier.  Flash Sales will be launched without warning and will give customers 50% off all the products in the ‘Slurp’ Express range of almost 1,100 products.  The discount will apply to the first £100 on all qualifying wines, spirits and beers.

1 April 2011 - Felicity Murray