JCPenney Sets Up Shop on Facebook

JCPenney has set up shop on Facebook, allowing consumers to buy the company’s clothes and tell their friends about it.

The retailer worked with Usablenet on the site, which also lets users “like,” share and review products.

JCPenney currently has 1.3 million fans on Facebook. The company moved closer to Facebook integration in October when it began running Facebook “like” buttons in its banner ads.

JCPenney’s not the first retailer to sell its wares on the world’s largest social networking site. 1-800-Flowers started offering Facebook-based transactions last year and in August, Delta Airlines began letting users book tickets from its Page. Procter & Gamble also runs an e-commerce site on the network.

Check out the site:
http://www.facebook.com/jcpenney?v=app_174296685928910#!/jcpenney?v=app_174296685928910

Todd Wasserman for Mashable

Visa's Local Deals on the iPhone

Visa has announced that its official iPhone application is available for free in the iTunes App Store. It’s completely in step with other popular consumer apps, as it’s heavy on deals and location-based technology.

Each user automatically receives customized offers, which are stored in the app and can be redeemed online or in brick-and-mortar stores. The app gives its users a handy map and directions for locating retail outlets where they can redeem their offers, and it will also help Visa cardholders find nearby ATMs.

At launch, Visa is working with about 50 hand-picked retailers to bring special deals to Visa account holders via the Visa iPhone app. Participating merchants currently include 24 Hour Fitness, Meineke, New York & Company, Holiday Inn, Hard Rock Café and Zales.

As far as customization goes, users will be able to select from a handful of categories to tailor the offers they get; verticals include purchases such as clothing, jewelry, travel, dining, entertainment and other retail goods.

And account holders with Visa Signature cards will get extra special offers in addition to the offers available to all Visa account holders.

While we were expecting something a bit less trendy and a bit more techie from the credit card company — something like what Visa did for New York City subway riders, perhaps — Visa’s first official iPhone app is a decent starting point.

Jolie O'Dell for Mashable