New research has thrown weight behind plans to revive ailing retailer Target.
The NetBase Top 50 Brand Love list has been released for the year, showing Target as the number one loved global brand among Aussie customers.
NetBase use patented natural language processing technology to showcase the strongest, most positive consumer emotions towards brands on social media.
The top five global retail brands loved by Australians were revealed as:
1. Target (21)
2. Lego (23)
3. Woolworths (24)
4. Nike (25)
5. Chanel (40)
Meanwhile, the top five Australian home-grown retail brands were:
1. Woolworths
2. Westfield
3. Myer
4. Bunnings
5. JB Hi-Fi
NetBase CMO Paige Leidig said there are significant differences among local and international consumers.
“It has been fascinating compiling the Australian Love List – we found quite a few differences between Aussies and their counterparts overseas.
"Social media has really won the hearts of Australians with five social media brands featuring in the overall top 10 Love List.
"Whereas in the UK, luxury brands such as Chanel and Christian Dior S.A. feature more heavily.
“We are here to help companies understand how to enhance their social media strategy to meet business goals such as boosting customer engagement; and build a tribe of loyal followers.
"Social is no longer a ‘nice to have’ but should play an integral part in every business and marketing strategy."
The Automotive (16%), Retail (16%) and Technology (14%) industries feature most within the overall Australian Top 50 Brand Love List, however that number is not reflected in the volume of mentions, with Social Media & SMS (71%) taking up a significant piece of the pie before eCommerce (8%) and Technology (6%).
Looking at the overall Top 50 Love List, Australia’s love for social media and connectivity is strong, with the Top 10 brands all living within Technology, Social Media & SMS, eCommerce or Entertainment industries.