FinancialsMar 20, 2026
Macy’s Turnaround Plans Shows Promise, Boosted by Bloomingdale’sPlus, why Saks Global’s bankruptcy may have given Bloomingdale’s an edge.
EditorsMay 14, 2014
Amazon ups the shopping ante via Twitter
Amazon has found another way to bring shopping to the increasingly mobile U.S. consumers. In recent days, the retail giant announced that consumers now will be able to shop on Amazon via their Twitter accounts.
Not that a person who already makes 75 percent of her purchases online needs any more of a reason to shop, but I was very intrigued by this news when I first saw it.
Here’s the idea: You see an Amazon link to a product on Twitter, and if you want it, you reply to the Tweet with the hashtag “#AmazonCart.” Provided it’s available, the product immediately is added to your Amazon shopping cart.
[caption id="attachment_2299" align="alignleft" width="330"]
You even will get a Tweet back to confirm as well as an email.
The one problem: You have to link your Amazon account to your Twitter account, so if you have a private account the Twitter account that responds to #AmazonCart won’t be able to see the Tweet and it won’t work.
The idea is, obviously, to make it easier for Twitter users to shop Amazon on their phones. I think it’s a great idea and it is one more thing, on top of Sunday delivery added to more markets, the e-tailer is doing to stay ahead of its competition.
I wanted to test it out for the sake of this blog so I gave it a try Monday, linking my Amazon account with my Twitter profile.
Because I didn’t immediately find many Amazon links in my own Newsfeed, I went over to see what Amazon’s Twitter profile could offer me and picked the most interesting thing I could find, a cookie dipper. (For those who don’t know, including Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff, a cookie dipper is a spoon-like utensil that hooks around a cookie so it can be dipped in milk.)
With one simple Tweet and one quick reply, I knew that it had been added to my cart. I popped over to my account online and--voila!---there it was. I did not actually buy the cookie dipper as it was for experiment’s sake and I just couldn’t justify that to myself, but I thought that the whole transaction was easy enough.
[caption id="attachment_2300" align="alignright" width="313"]
A recent article on Forbes criticized the cart for failing to provide consumers with immediate gratification because they’re just adding the item to a cart, not actually buying it, which I think is a great point. But I also see the value in adding
something to a cart while you’re thinking about it so that you don’t lose it, even if you have to come back later and actually buy it.
A lot of Millennials are following their favorite brands on Twitter, and there’s something to be said for being able to take action when something is recommended. And maybe for everyone’s bank accounts, especially my own, it’s best that it doesn’t actually buy it right away.
I would be interested in seeing what the conversion rate is of people who add the products via #AmazonCart and actually end up buying once the service has been around long enough to analyze the numbers.
The Forbes writer also brings up the point that only a limited amount of product information can be provided in 140 characters. But here’s where the lack of immediacy proves to be a strong point: You can add an item and come back later to look at it, read more about it, read the reviews and then make your decision. And assuming that you’re reading from a trusted source in your Twitter feed, you’re probably not blindly making the decision.
Now the question remains: With more and more platforms like #AmazonCart being launched to compel consumers to an even faster, easier shopping experience, streamlined to meet them in their space, how can retailers afford not to focus on their mobile presence and even e-commerce?
Let me know what you think about this new program, and in the meantime, I’ll be shopping deals on Twitter.
A lot of Millennials are following their favorite brands on Twitter, and there’s something to be said for being able to take action when something is recommended. And maybe for everyone’s bank accounts, especially my own, it’s best that it doesn’t actually buy it right away.
I would be interested in seeing what the conversion rate is of people who add the products via #AmazonCart and actually end up buying once the service has been around long enough to analyze the numbers.
The Forbes writer also brings up the point that only a limited amount of product information can be provided in 140 characters. But here’s where the lack of immediacy proves to be a strong point: You can add an item and come back later to look at it, read more about it, read the reviews and then make your decision. And assuming that you’re reading from a trusted source in your Twitter feed, you’re probably not blindly making the decision.
Now the question remains: With more and more platforms like #AmazonCart being launched to compel consumers to an even faster, easier shopping experience, streamlined to meet them in their space, how can retailers afford not to focus on their mobile presence and even e-commerce?
Let me know what you think about this new program, and in the meantime, I’ll be shopping deals on Twitter.
More on Editors
The Latest
AuctionsMar 20, 2026
Sotheby's, De Beers Unveil ‘Jwaneng 28.88’ DiamondThe flawless, Type IIa stone is estimated to achieve up to $2.8 million at the auction house’s high jewelry sale in April.
TrendsMar 20, 2026
‘Frankenstein’ Costume Designer Is Bejeweled In Brooches for Oscars WinCostume designer Kate Hawley wore three archival Tiffany & Co. brooches, our Pieces of the Week, while accepting her first Oscar.
Brought to you by
Protect Your Customers and Your BusinessYou deserve to know what you are selling–to protect your customers as well as your business and your reputation.
FinancialsMar 19, 2026
Signet Jewelers to Close 100 Stores, Shutter James Allen BannerThe jewelry retailer announced changes to its store network and brand portfolio during its fourth-quarter earnings call.
Weekly QuizMar 19, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SurveysMar 19, 2026
NRF Forecasts 4% Retail Sales Growth in 2026From a weaker labor market to inflation, NRF Chief Economist Mark Mathews gave insight on what retailers can expect this year.
AuctionsMar 19, 2026
26-Carat Diamond Tops $1M at AuctionThe historic stone, which sold at Elmwood’s in London, is the largest white diamond to be offered on the U.K. market in more than a decade.
Brought to you by
Is This You? Every Jeweler Has This Problem; We Have the Solution.Every jeweler faces the same challenge: helping customers protect what they love. Here’s the solution designed for today’s jewelry business.
Events & AwardsMar 19, 2026
JCK Rocks To Ride With NellyThree-time Grammy award-winning artist Nelly is set to perform at the annual event at Tao Beach in Las Vegas on May 31.
AuctionsMar 18, 2026
Collection of the ‘Severely Beautiful’ Lady Wardington Fetches $161KThe model and fashion editor’s gold evening bags were the top lots at the London sale, going for more than $25,000 each.
PodcastsMar 18, 2026
Episode 3: An Interview With Jewelry Designer Johnny NelsonFresh off winning the David Yurman Gem Awards Grant, Nelson discusses the ring that launched his career and his plans for the future.
SourcingMar 18, 2026
Lucara Recovers Nearly 37-Carat Blue DiamondThe “stunning” Type IIb stone was found via x-ray technology at its Karowe mine in Botswana.
MajorsMar 18, 2026
Stuller Releases New Edition of Jewelry Education Book“The Basics of Jewelry” has been updated to include modern topics and visuals.
Events & AwardsMar 17, 2026
The Best Moments From the 2026 Gem Awards Held just before the Oscars, the jewelry industry’s big awards show had its share of standout jewelry, gowns, and acceptance speeches.
SourcingMar 17, 2026
Cruzeiro Mine Debuts ‘Winter Tourmaline’The Brazilian mine’s new collection features cabochons in soft, muted shades like silver and lilac.
TrendsMar 17, 2026
Natalie Portman Is Tiffany & Co.’s New AmbassadorThe Academy Award-winning actress stars in Tiffany & Co.’s latest commercial, which debuted Sunday night during the Oscars.
MajorsMar 17, 2026
Kering Establishes Jewelry Division, Appoints CEOThe organizational change follows Kering’s promise of a transformation after declining sales in 2025.
WatchesMar 16, 2026
TAG Heuer Has a New CEOBéatrice Goasglas has been with TAG Heuer since 2018. She is the first woman to head the 166-year-old, LVMH-owned watch brand.
IndependentsMar 16, 2026
Ben Bridge Debuts New Honolulu BoutiqueThe store features the first in-store build for the jeweler’s in-house “Bella Ponte” bridal brand.
AuctionsMar 16, 2026
Bonhams Paris To Offer Antique, Signed Jewels The live fine jewelry auction will take place later this week, showcasing antique pieces, rare gemstones, and signed jewels.
CollectionsMar 13, 2026
A Trio of Jewels from the 3 Gem Award Nominees for Jewelry DesignOur Pieces of the Week honor the 2026 nominees for the Gem Award for Jewelry Design, Silvia Furmanovich, Cece Fein-Hughes, and Catherine Sarr.
WatchesMar 13, 2026
Citizen, Vera Wang to Launch Watch CollectionThe 24-piece watch collection is set to debut in spring 2027.
SourcingMar 13, 2026
Andrea Pooler Joins Third-Generation Diamond Company as COO Pooler, who has more than 25 years’ experience in jewelry, is now chief operating officer of Modani Jewels, Soham Diamonds, and SNJ Creations.
MajorsMar 13, 2026
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe reopening of the Waldorf Astoria means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event, which will take place Saturday.
CollectionsMar 12, 2026
Jessica McCormack Sends Gold, Gemstones Into ‘Orbit’McCormack looked to the 19th century’s “golden age” of astronomy when designing her new celestial-themed collection.
Events & AwardsMar 12, 2026
Johnny Nelson Wins David Yurman Gem Awards GrantNelson will be honored as the inaugural grant winner at the Gem Awards gala on Friday.
TechnologyMar 12, 2026
Caratwise Launches, Names Former Signet Exec CEO The new smart design software allows jewelers to configure, price, and confirm a custom engagement ring in real time for in-store customers.
