If you haven’t already begun to explore the endless possibilities of extending your brand’s reach through popular social networking sites, you are missing out on a huge opportunity to strengthen relationships with your most valuable asset: your customers. We’ve scouted three of today’s most popular social media destinations–Facebook, Twitter and YouTube–to uncover nine retailers that hit home runs as “Social Retailing All-Stars.” On the pages that follow, we show how these retailers are winning the social media revolution and commanding the attention of millions of fans and followers. We take a deep look at how each has used these channels to strengthen relationships with a base of passionate customers. The All-Stars also score runs by using their social media sites as sales vehicles that help drive their businesses, while also mixing in a splash of interactivity and fun. BEST BUY Facebook: 1,126,106 Fans Twitter: 24,312 Followers YouTube: 65,940 Channel Views 653,122 Upload Views Have an electronics issue, but can’t make it to the store? Best Buy aims to live up to its “Buyer be happy” slogan, which is evident across the brand’s Facebook, Twitter and YouTube pages. FACEBOOK: Best Buy employs its Twelpforce on Facebook to help solve its customers’ electronics dilemmas. The brand’s bustling Facebook page has attracted more than 1.1 million fans, who frequently post on the brand’s wall. Best Buy will then provide a direct response to all of their fans’ questions and concerns. A link to the company’s “Recycle It On” program lets fans recycle old electronics items. “Shop and Share” lets them view the weekly ad and the “Idea Giftr” lets customers share fun gift ideas. TWITTER: Nearly 25,000 followers are receiving live updates via Twitter on the latest electronics. Followers also use the wall to communicate with each other by posting minute-by-minute messages. YOUTUBE: A colorful YouTube page displays an array of videos that let subscribers learn about such topics as “Our Company,” “Best Buy in the Community,” and “Greener Together.” * Number of Stores: 1,400 * Revenue: $49.7 Billion FOREVER 21 Facebook: 919,966 Fans Twitter: 80,685 Followers YouTube: 10,662 Channel Views   35,710 Upload Views Gen Y trendsters are addicted to the hip styles sold at Forever 21 and will do anything to be associated with this hot brand. FACEBOOK: With nearly 1 million Facebook fans, Forever 21 is a top contender in the race for Facebpook leadership, behind only Walmart and Target on our list. The brand’s Facebook page showcases fashion shows, celebrity trends, sales, hot styles, blogs, job openings and contests. The page promotes an “item of the day” where fans can opt to like it!, dislike it!, or buy it! The interactive F21 game gives fans a chance to win Forever 21 discount cards. TWITTER: Followers can vote for their favorite celebs and get a behind-the-scenes look at its newest brand, HTG81. YOUTUBE: Although the brand is in the early stages of developing its YouTube page, the retailer uses the space to showcase a video blog from a young fashionista. * Number of Stores: 450 * Revenue: $1.7 Billion GAP Facebook: 572,438 Fans Twitter: 25,338 Followers YouTube: 102,446 Channel Views   1,276,498 Upload Views Dedicated fans of the famous jeans maker have “fallen into the Gap” on Facebook, Twitter and YouTube in a big way. FACEBOOK: Nearly 600,000 fans are engaged with the brand on Facebook, which uses its page to promote designer collaborations such as the recently introduced Stella McCartney collection, Gap’s iPhone app, celebrity events, promotions and discounts. The page also posts a lookbook from its “Born to Fit Together” campaign, a style tips section where fans can share fashion ideas and a “featured stylist” section. A dedicated section for Baby Gap features “How do you style your denim baby?” where fans can share photos of their babies dressed in Gap apparel. TWITTER: Gap uses its Twitter page to promote a recent collaboration with Vogue, contests, holiday gift-giving ideas, new styles and “swimsuits for every body type.” YOUTUBE: The brand’s YouTube page showcases a behind-the-scenes look at Gap’s “Born to Fit” campaign, as well as the brand’s world-famous commercials. * Number of Stores: 3,100 * Revenue: $14.2 Billion HOME DEPOT Facebook: 117,880 Fans Twitter: 22,121 Followers YouTube: 754,224 Channel Views   3,288,226 Upload Views With a heavy emphasis on DIY and “turn up your doing dial,” Home Depot has clearly illustrated across its social media sites that it is the one-stop shop for any type of home project. FACEBOOK: More than 100,000 Facebook fans gain summer project ideas, access to free DIY workshops and last minute gift-giving ideas. The page also posts info on “Team Depot” and a cool DIY Gifts tool that lets fans send gifts to their Facebook friends, along with a link to purchase the product. Fans will also find more than 20 videos on topics such as “What’s new in outdoor living?” and “What’s new in grills?” TWITTER: More than 21,000 followers share their impressions of customer service, overall store experiences and likes/dislikes on products. YOUTUBE: A multi-purpose YouTube page posts the weekly ad, a store finder and more than 145 videos that include topics such as “How to plant a garden” and “Top 10 ways to reduce your energy bills.” * Number of Stores: 2,200 * Revenue: $66.2 Billion REI Facebook: 67,133 Fans Twitter: 17,784 Followers YouTube: 342,267 Channel Views 527,438 Upload Views How can a trip to the store feel like a ride in the park? REI spreads this mantra, along with its consistent brand messaging, across multiple social media channels, extending beyond Facebook, Twitter and YouTube to include MySpace and FlickR. FACEBOOK: Nearly 70,000 Facebook fans who share a common love of nature and REI’s outdoor gear log in to learn about beautiful U.S. landscapes, new sports gear and events such as Outdoor Fest. REI also is one of the few retailers that posts personal responses to all questions posted on its Facebook wall. TWITTER: REI’s colorful Twitter page is adorned with a scenic mountain landscape and promotes a deal of the day, environmental tips, summer adventures for kids, a sweepstakes and new product announcements. YOUTUBE: A fun, interactive YouTube page provides “10 innovative picks to pump up your ride,” cool new gear, bike events, a store locator tool, special offers and videos offering quick triathlon tips. * Number of Stores: 110 * Revenue: $1.4 Billion SEARS Facebook: 160,868 Fans Twitter: 7,496 Followers YouTube: 422,136 Channel Views 1,256,822 Upload Views Sears takes pride in being named “Partner of the Year” and “Energy Star Winner 2010,” which is why both awards are prominently featured across all the brand’s social media pages. FACEBOOK: Sears’ Facebook page is a multi-purpose vehicle for communicating holiday and gift ideas, sweepstakes, Energy Star tips and popular seasonal products. There’s also a dedicated section for “Shop Your Way Rewards,” the brand’s loyalty program, as well as a Sears YouTube channel that promotes upcoming sales. The page also posts current job openings, an interactive poll and a dedicated events section. TWITTER: Uniquely, the company-branded Twitter page lists a primary contact person, Carla F @ your service, for all inquiries. YOUTUBE: The page features about 300 videos divided into four separate channels: Kenmore, Craftsman, Welcome to Kmart and Managemyhome.com, showcasing videos such as live cooking demos and “Sears Your Way.” * Number of Stores: 3,900 * Revenue: $44 Billion TARGET Facebook: 1,070,904 Fans Twitter: 20,467 Followers YouTube: 140,493 Channel Views 770,994 Upload Views Target hits the bull’s-eye when it comes to developing a successful social media campaign that truly resonates with its core customers. FACEBOOK: Nearly 1.1 million Facebook followers gain access to summer tips for entertaining, Target Daily Deals, and “Club Wed,” the company’s popular bridal gift registry. Fans can “play and learn” by sharing cool, creative ideas on what to do with kids during the summer. Fans also can view photos and videos like the Zac Posen for Target 24-hour shopping party. A dedicated section for “Summer” lets fans upload pics and share their summer adventures with others. TWITTER: The brand posts up-to-the minute news about Club Wed and info on the recently launched Liberty of London line. Followers actively share their thoughts and ideas about the brand. YOUTUBE: A colorful fashion-focused page features a slide show on hot Target designers and celebrities, and showcases videos such as the “Liberty of London for Target.” * Number of Stores: 1,745 * Revenue: $65.4 Billion WALMART Facebook: 1,152,832 Fans Twitter: 9,508 Followers YouTube: 17,236,744 Channel Views   829,879 Upload Views In addition to being the nation’s number one retailer, Walmart also commands the biggest following across its social media platforms. FACEBOOK: Fans can “Save more. Live better,” by accessing the page’s dedicated “It’s Roll Back Time” section, which lets customers buy their favorite products at extreme value. Nearly 1.2 million fans also gain access to healthy living tips, holiday gift ideas, career opportunities, sections dedicated to employee recognition, the “Walmart Gives Back” campaign and even a personalized gift specialist. TWITTER: Walmart Specials is followed by nearly 10,000 shoppers in search of the best deals and steals of the day. A “value of the day” is posted multiple times throughout the day, with a convenient link that lets followers purchase the item. YOUTUBE: This branded page provides links to the company’s main Web site, Facebook and Twitter pages, and a store finder. Videos are designed around topics such as “sustainability,” “customer letters,” and “make home my haven.” * Number of Stores: 8,400 * Revenue: $408.2 Billion WHOLE FOODS Facebook: 258,541 Fans Twitter: 1,760,124 Followers YouTube: 42,926 Channel Views   956,995 Upload Views Whole Foods isn’t just a brand, it’s a lifestyle for millions of dedicated customers who flock to its stores for high quality natural and organic products. FACEBOOK: The brand’s wall promotes healthy eating options, holiday food ideas, grill recipes, environmental tips, a blog, and the Whole Foods e-mail newsletter. Fans also can find more than 100 videos, an interactive poll and info about the Whole Planet Foundation. TWITTER: Customers of the brand are so dedicated that more than one million of them are following the brand on Twitter, amounting to more followers than all of the other retailers on our list combined. Whole Foods keeps its followers engaged with minute-by-minute posts. All questions that are posted are answered live by a brand representative. YOUTUBE: More than 1,300 subscribers tune in to the Whole Earth Generation series, which includes videos such as “Whole Earth Generation–Save the Rain Forest,” and “Prosciutto–The Secret Ingredient.” * Number of Stores: 295 * Revenue: $8 Billion Resource: http://risnews.edgl.com/