10 Retail brands who are doing Instagram right

It’s been over two years since Facebook acquired photo and video-sharing app, Instagram. Since then, Instagram has experienced more than 500% increase in active users, confirming a count over 150 million monthly active users, till date. This is why, Instagram is proving to be the hottest social media marketing trend being utilized by brands to connect with their audience, in this new year 2015.

Today, Instagram’s active users include some of the most successful retail brands, with some having over 10 million followers. And, in this blog we will list 10 retail brands that are the among the most followed ones on Instagram, and how they are getting it right.

1- Nike  

Overview

An American multinational company, Nike is considered to be one of the world’s largest supplier of athletic shoes, apparel, and a major manufacturer of sports equipment too. Nike by far, is the most-followed retail brand on Instagram. It Instagram account (@nike) has 14 million followers, with 127 following, and 780 posts.

Why it works?

Nike Instagram feeds are filled with motivational images and people, doing extraordinary things. They allow their fans an ability to customize their shoes, and with Nike’s PhotoiD, they can come up with their unique creativity and share it to their followers on Instagram. By crafting such a campaign, Nike allows its fans to show off their hip and artistic side, while also becoming promoters for Nike.

2- Victoria Secret

Overview

Having a presence offline as well as online, Victoria Secret is known as the lingerie giant that offers women’s lifestyle and beauty products. It’s Instagram account (@victoriassecret) is considered to be the most followed retail fashion brand with 12.4 million users, 397 following and over 2000 posts.

Why it works?

Apart from promoting their lingerie products, Victoria Secret Instagram feed offers highly engaging videos that include behind the images and videos from photoshoots and fashion shows. By doing this, they automatically create a hype and excitement for their upcoming events amongst their fans and followers.

3- Starbucks

Overview

An American global coffee company, Starbucks is reported as the largest coffeehouse business in the world, with 21,536 stores in 64 countries and territories. It’s Instagram account (@starbucks) has 3.9 million followers, 1,866 following, with 723 posts.

Why it works?

Starbucks Instagram feed includes more of behind the scene photographs of coffee being made at Starbucks corporate headquarters. This allows customers to see how their products are made. By adding humanization to their Instagram marketing strategy, Starbucks enables potential customers to better relate the product.

4- Adidas

Overview

A German multinational corporation, Adidas is the second largest sports wear company in the world. This retail brand also designs and manufactures apparel and accessories too. It’s Instagram account (@adidas) reports 3.7 million followers, 62 following, and 678 posts.

Why it works?

Adidas allows it’s customers to engage with the brand in a unique way, users can pull any of their favorite pictures from their Instagram accounts and have the image designed right into their “ZX Flux trainers.” The Instagram video announcement has received nearly 55,000 likes so far. Adidas also encourage users to share shots of their own personalized shoes, which is always appreciated by potential customers.

5- Zara  

Overview

A Spanish clothing and accessories retailer, Zara is considered to be one of the leading fashion brands that has an ability to design a new product and have finished goods in its stores in four to five weeks. It’s Instagram account (@zara_worldwide) has 3.5 million followers, 31 following, with 567 posts.

Why does it work?

Targeting young adults and teenagers, Zara holds a contest every time they come up with their new collection. This contest allows customers to post pictures of the themselves using the product in the best way they can, which is later judged on “who wore it the best”. The winners then win $100 worth gift cards. This way, Zara does not only allow fashion-lovers to come up with classy images, but also gives potential buyers different ways of using the product, that can best suit them.

6- Gucci

 

Overview

An Italian fashion and leather goods brand, Gucci is the biggest selling Italian brand that operates from 278 directly operated stores worldwide. Its Instagram account (@gucci) currently has 3.4 million followers, with 137 following, and over 700 posts.

Why it works?

Gucci consistently uses the brand hashtags in their posts and encourages their fans to adopt them in their shares. It’s not surprisingly, they are getting it right and considered to one of the top hashtag brands on Instagram. Using the hashtag strategy, Gucci got even more visibility that is earning them more and more followers, everyday.

7- Urban Outfitters

 

Overview

An American multinational clothing corporation, Urban Outfitters manages five separate brands, over 400 retail locations worldwide. It’s Instagram account (@urbanoutfitters) has 2.7 million followers,351 following, and over 3500 posts.

Why it works?

Allowing their customers to become models, has made Urban Outfitters one of the most engaging brand on Instagram. Offering an individual hashtag information cards to some of their jeans, has allowed it’s customers to click pictures of themselves using their products and tag them. These pictures are then featured into the specific denim’s product page on the “Free People’s” actual website (once approved by the moderators, of course).By doing this, they automatically give potential customers an idea how their products look in real life.

8- Bath & Body Works

Overview

A well-known American retail brand, Bath & Body Works specializes in shower gels, lotions, fragrance mists, perfumes, candles, and home fragrances. With over 1600 stores, Bath & Body Works Instagram account (@bathandbodyworks) has 928K followers, 554 following, and 966 posts.

Why it works?

Bath & Body Works perform one of the most influential marketing technique on Instagram, known as “fan interaction.” This means, they comment on every content that has their brand hashtags, encouraging an excitement and further participation from their followers. With this concept, they not only build relationships with their followers, but also allow potential customers a clear visibility of what’s going on behind the scene.

9- Nordstorm

Overview

An American upscale fashion retailer, Nordstorm began as a shoe retailer and soon expanded its offerings to include apparel, accessories, handbags, jewelry, cosmetics, and fragrances. It’s Instagram account has 839K followers, 360 following, with 2,101 posts.

Why it works?

Nordstorm introduced a unique feature “Like2Buy” that’s designed to make an Instagram photo into a tappable advertisement. This means, each post on it’s Instagram account (@nordstorm) has a  link to the company’s “Like2Buy page.” This way users can instantly purchase the product they like on Nordstorm’s Instagram’s account.This concept is encouraging more Instagram followers for Nordstorm.

10- Gap

 

Overview

An American multinational company, Gap is considered to be a specialty retailer in the whole of United States. Having over 3000 stores worldwide, Gap Instagram account (@gap) is followed by 715K people, with over 1200 posts.

Why it works?

As soon as Instagram introduced “Instagram Direct,” Gap was the first brand to use it. This would allow users to send images and a 15-second video to upto 15 people at a time. Gap came up with a Instagram direct challenge by the name “What I Wore Today.”  inviting the first 15 commenters to take part, and the winner won a Gap product. This helped them reach out more followers, and the count is still on.