Get your Twit on - Twitter for Retailers

It seems like every other day I get a ClickZ newsletter from some Social Media specialist on Twitter. I personally have nothing but affection for Twitter and think of it as being a more user friendly version of RSS. The most common question with Twitter is definitely "What can I do with it". Short answer? Pretty much anything you want.

Long Answer? ----- sourced from eConsultancy

1. Time-limited offers (@threadless): Happy 9/9/09! ALL THREADLESS TEES ARE $9! No joke! (Pls RT for the chance to win a $99 gift code) http://thrdl.es
2. Announcing free shipping for returns (@asos): You wanted free returns, we've listened & guess what? There's now FREE RETURNS for UK customers http://bit.ly/YDgT1 Who's happy?!! Xx
3. Helping people to buy design classics (@conran_shop): UK Sale now on: 20% off Design Classics like the Noguchi and Eames Eiffel DSR in all colours: http://twitclicks.com/4typ
4. Driving awareness of other social media profiles (@playcom): FREE Jamie. T gig in London tonight - Play.com are giving away tix - go to www.facebook.com/playcom to enter - but before 3pm!
5. Retweeting shopper testimonials (@firebox): RT @drlawson: @firebox I've never been so excited by a pepper mill before.One day after ordering! Sweeties too!Yey. http://twitgoo.com/2uqlj
6. Promoting ‘pick of the week’ products (@officeshoes): This weeks 'Hot Pick' is Something Risque - Skyscraper platform heels from Office shoes - http://bit.ly/4JyxJ
7. New ranges and pre-order alerts (@urbanoutfitters): Exclusive: Get the first look & pre-order new fall styles http://bit.ly/NgLAY
8. Coupons: http://twitter.com/bordersmedia won a soccer game last night. So how about a coupon for 30% off the item of your choice >http://bit.ly/1edxzx
9. Doing the multichannel thing (@americanapparel): American Apparel is hosting a factory flea market sale in Las Vegas tomorrow at UNLV from 9-8pm! http://su.pr/AIA6EW
10. Driving high value in-store visits (@debenhams): We've still got two personal shopper appointments available at 6pm and 7pm in Oxford Street, if you're interested let me know. #debenhams
11. Surveys (@ethicalstore): Survey time! Who... 1.) Has a Paypal account and 2.) Prefers to use it to a credit/debit card when shopping online?
12. Dealing with the PR disaster (@habitatuk): We’ve been listening and we know 140 characters aren’t enough for a full apology, please follow this link http://tinyurl.com/md2spc
13. Communicating downtime (@bookdepository): We upgraded our infrastructure at 4am and our site came back online at 8am BST. Apologies for inconvenience, but site should be faster now!
14. Promoting new website features (@etsy): Just launched: Rearrange your Etsy shop items http://bit.ly/1MhbW
15. Announcing the mother of all sales (@zappos): Big day! Email I just sent to Zappos employees today about the Amazon acquisition - http://blogs.zappos.com/ceo...
16. Recruitment (@petsmarttic): Collegeville, PA: Looking for a job? Come work at the new PetSmart store opening in October. www.petsmartjobs.com.
17. Responding to aggrieved neighbours (@tjmaxx): @leannahamill Our apologizes for the loud music. In order to address this for u we need the store location, please call us at 18009266299
18. Explaining payment limitations (@threadless): @swissmiss Sorry, but PayPal is not supported by our merchant account and also does not offer the level of fraud protection we require!
19. Showing love to the blogosphere (@figleaveshome): @lingerieblog Hi guys. Love the blog. Keep up the good work x
20. Casting for adverts (@frenchconn39): Want to feature in our SS10 Denim Campaign? Come and see us at James Street store in London (16th - 18th 2pm – 7pm, 19th-20th 12pm – 5pm)
21. Sharing videos (@hellobabydirect): I uploaded a YouTube video -- 3 Brother Max bowls http://bit.ly/aymvj
22. Birthday giveaways (@nakedwines): Heads up! We're giving away 6 bottles of Chateau D'Yquem to celebrate our 1st birthday http://www.nakedwines.com/o...
23. Announcing a pop-up store (@luxury_fashion): http://twitpic.com/gz4lz - This Saturday (Sept 12), for 1 day only, we're teaming up with Style.com to launch a pop-up style station in ...
24. Linking to articles about your brand in the media (@americanapparel): The Guardian's great article on American Apparel and immigration http://su.pr/1IXnBF
25. The greater good (@ocadouk): We're supporting the launch of 10:10 at London's Tate Modern from 4pm today. Join us and take the first step to solving climate change.
26. Networking with influencers / former members of The Fall (@topshop_tweets): @Brixsmithstart There are so many lovely bits in your shop ... must be something fab
27. Proactively converting interest to sales (@shirtsmyway): @davenaff If there is anything we can help with please let us know. We would be happy to help.