Text messaging is perfectly suited to modern consumer habits when it comes to communicating with brands and businesses. Consequently, while many large corporations engage with their customers via mobile, most independent retailers are missing out on the opportunities offered by SMS marketing. Here are 11 examples of SMS marketing campaigns that are worth emulating.

1) Pep Boys

Pep Boys is an automotive aftermarket service and retail chain. The company has created interactive experiences through messaging marketing and mobile wallet campaigns. The results have been impressive:

• 26% of customers added Pep Boys to their Passbook
• 30% of mobile wallet offers (Passbook and Google Wallet) were redeemed in-store

Pep Boys used offers and coupons to drive store traffic. They send approximately 3 text messages per month to their subscribers.

2) American Eagle Outfitters

This is a clothing, footwear, and fashion accessories retailer. They have utilized an SMS program focused on special sales and flash sales. The rich SMS include promo codes as well as a link to their mobile website for online shopping. American Eagle Outfitters sends an average of one text message per week with various offers available in-store or on their website.

3) Cabela's

Cabela's is a major retailer of hunting, fishing, boating, and ATV gear. Their marketing program has been highly successful and has generated significant revenue. The company used a mobile messaging provider to promote a $10 discount on purchases of $50 or more. This offer is recurring throughout the year. They implemented an aggressive social media promotion program that allowed them to sign up a large number of new customers.

4) Ace Hardware

This is a retail cooperative with over 4,600 locations. Ace Hardware stands out for the wide variety of its marketing campaigns, which include coupons and scratch-off games. The company regularly offers discounts and allows its customers to save offers for later use.

5) Kohl's

This is an American department store retail chain. Kohl's uses a real-time alert program along with promo codes, coupons, and links to their mobile website. Their program is very simple and can be used by any retailer.

6) Jack in the Box

Jack in the Box is an American fast-food restaurant chain that uses a strategy MMS-based marketing featuring photos and videos. They are known for constantly refreshing their offers. They regularly provide promo codes and maintain an extensive customer database.

7) Macy's

This is a department store chain selling clothing, accessories, home furnishings, and household goods. Macy's has a simple and effective marketing strategy. The company regularly sends its subscribers offers based on seasons, holidays, and new product arrivals.

8) JCPenney

JCPenney is an American mid-range department store chain. Like Macy's, this company uses a simple but more frequent marketing strategy. Their SMS messages always include promo codes valid in-store or on their website. They send 3 or 4 offers per month to their customers, and the messages always contain a link to their website for more information about events.

9) Home Depot

This is an American retailer offering products and services related to construction and home improvement. Home Depot has a large customer database, the result of their long-standing web experience. The company also has an effective SMS promotion program with time-limited offers that encourage subscribers to make quick purchases.

10) Men's Wearhouse

Men's Wearhouse is an American men's clothing retailer. The company is very active online and has an excellent SMS marketing strategy. Thesending of SMS messages directly to customers' phones encourages them to take advantage of numerous promotions.

11) Hibbett Sports

This is a sporting goods retailer with over 1,000 locations. Hibbett Sports uses a marketing program that prompts its subscribers to make quick purchasing decisions on their phones. The company promotes its program across all channels, highlights the benefits of membership in its SMS messages, and frequently refreshes its offers.

A mobile messaging service offers numerous opportunities that should not be overlooked. Integrating your marketing program across your customer communication channels will add extra momentum to your overall marketing strategy. Furthermore, messaging programs allow you to gain more insights into your customers, enabling you to send them targeted and personalized SMS messages directly to their phones.