Why Pinterest Deserves a Place in Every Online Retailer’s Marketing Plan

A Platform Built for Discovery and Sales

As a premier social media agency in Surrey, Thunderbolt often stands at the forefront of emerging social media marketing trends that help local and regional retailers thrive online. Among the most compelling in the current landscape is Pinterest, a platform that radically blends visual inspiration with real-world purchase intent.

For online retailers looking to scale and cement meaningful connections with customers, Pinterest offers untapped opportunities. In this post, we’ll explore why Pinterest should be central to a retailer’s social media marketing strategy and how Thunderbolt can be the partner you need to unlock its full potential.

What Makes Pinterest Unique in Social Media Marketing

1. High Purchase Intent

Pinterest is fundamentally different from everyday social platforms. Users come with intention; they’re planning, discovering, and ready to act. According to research, 55% of Pinners are actively looking to purchase products, and 85% of weekly Pinners have made a purchase based on brand content they discovered there. This isn’t passive scrolling; this is consumers saying, “I want to buy.”

2. An Affluent, Engaged Audience

Pinterest draws a particularly valuable demographic. In the UK, one in four households with incomes over £100,000 engages regularly with the platform. Globally, one in three Pinterest shoppers earns over $100,000 annually, making Pinterest users 35 % more likely to belong to high-income segments than those on other platforms. For retailers aiming at premium or aspirational markets, that’s gold dust.

3. Gen Z Is Here and Buying

Pinterest isn’t exclusive to any one generation. In fact, Gen Z has become the fastest‑growing and most engaged segment on the platform. These young buyers rely on Pinterest for fashion inspiration, discovering new brands, and driving trends, making it the ideal place to connect with future brand advocates through effective social media marketing.

4. Visual Search and “Shop the Look”

Pinterest’s investment in visual search tools like Lens and “Shop the Look” makes product discovery seamless. Users can click a photo, identify the item, and buy it directly. This integration removes friction between inspiration and purchase and presents an easily integrated, shoppable environment for retailers.

5. Evergreen Content That Delivers Over Time

Unlike fleeting content on fast-paced timelines, Pins maintain visibility. A well-optimised Pin can continue referring traffic for months or even years. For online retailers, this means continuous long-term returns from social media marketing content created once, driving sustained traffic, brand visibility, and sales.

Real‑World Business Value

1. Full-Funnel Reach

Pinterest is not just a discovery tool; it’s a full-funnel marketing platform. It supports everything from awareness to conversion, with AI-powered visual search, recommendations, and shoppable interfaces helping retailers connect with consumers at every stage of their journey.

2. Clear ROI and Ad Performance

Brands using Promoted Pins and shopping ads have reported conversion rates and return-on-ad-spend (ROAS) that outperform other platforms. Data shows shopping ads on Pinterest generate up to three times higher conversion lift and double the incremental ROAS compared to other networks. Users exposed to Pinterest ads are also 10× more likely to search the brand later, extending the impact beyond paid exposure.

3. Trend Forecasting and Cultural Relevance

Pinterest acts as a trend barometer. Campaigns are scheduled around seasonal trends like summer décor, autumn wardrobes, or holiday recipes. This seasonality is heavily backed by user search spikes and insights gathered in real time. Savvy retailers use these cues to be contextually relevant and ahead of the curve in social media marketing.

Why Surrey-Based Online Retailers Should Get Involved

1. Local Advantage with Global Reach

Based in Surrey, your retail efforts don’t have to be limited to local footfall. Pinterest lets you showcase your products globally, all while you build a local customer base. Pins are discoverable worldwide, but you can layer campaigns with local targeting to boost relevance here in Surrey and throughout the South East.

2. Stand Out Visually

High street footfall might be down, but online, visuals matter more than ever. A British retailer in Surrey with beautifully styled product shoots or lifestyle photography can use Pinterest to stand out, showcase quality, and build brand identity. Pinterest’s emphasis on visual excellence aligns perfectly with curated brand experiences.

3. Build a Loyal Pinterest Community

A carefully curated Pinterest presence allows local retailers to build a community of followers interested in their niche, whether it’s eco-friendly fashion, artisan homeware, or gourmet gifts. This fosters loyalty and a direct line to the audience most eager to shop your collections.

How Thunderbolt Elevates Your Pinterest Strategy

At Thunderbolt, being a top social media agency in Surrey isn’t just a description, it’s our mission. Here’s how we help Surrey’s online retailers maximise Pinterest’s potential:

Bespoke Strategy and Campaign Design

We begin by understanding your brand identity, target demographics, and business goals. We then design a Pinterest social media marketing strategy and content calendar aligned with seasonal peaks, trending topics, and your broader marketing activities. From ideation to execution, every Pin reflects your brand’s vision.

Eye-Catching, SEO-Optimised Visuals

Pins perform better when they’re visually compelling and optimised for search. Our creative team crafts images that capture attention, consistent with your brand and Pinterest’s best practices. Titles, hashtags, and descriptions are all carefully tuned to reach the right audience at the right time.

Smart Paid Campaign Management

Promoted Pins and shopping ads work best when based on data. Thunderbolt continuously monitors campaign performance and audience dynamics. We tweak bidding, targeting, and creative to lift conversion rates and maximise your ROI.

Analytics and Ongoing Optimisation

Pinterest offers a wealth of analytics, from impressions and saves to clicks and conversions. We deliver monthly performance reports, interpreting the data to make smart adjustments. Results guide continuous optimisations and fuel ongoing growth.

Integration with Your Transactions

Our service doesn’t stop at Pinterest. We help integrate shopping feeds, product tagging, and “Shop the Look” features. That way, Pinners can go from discovery to checkout with minimum friction, right from a Pin to your e-commerce cart.

Why Act Now

Rapid Growth & Platform Momentum

Pinterest is not passive or stagnant. According to Q1 2025 stats, it grew user counts by 10 % year-on-year to reach 570 million monthly active users. AI-enhanced ads welcomed organic adoption, especially among Gen Z shoppers navigating visually curated content. If you wait for competitors to jump in, you risk being left behind.

Keeping Pace With Consumer Behaviour

Today’s consumers don’t look once; they pin, compare, and shop. Pinterest is frequently the first stop for inspiration and intention-driven browsing. Online retailers who adapt to this consumer mindset gain a serious advantage.

Ready to Grow With Pinterest?

At Thunderbolt, your trusted social media agency in Surrey, we understand what it takes to succeed in an increasingly competitive digital retail landscape. Pinterest offers a unique opportunity to connect with high-intent audiences, and we’re ideally positioned to help you harness its full potential. From initial account setup and content creation to advanced ad targeting and performance analytics, we deliver a complete Pinterest marketing solution tailored to your brand, goals, and budget.

As specialists in social media marketing, we combine creativity with data-driven strategy to ensure your brand stands out and converts. Whether you’re just starting out on Pinterest or looking to scale your existing efforts, our experienced team is ready to guide you every step of the way.

If you’re an online retailer eager to grow your visibility, drive meaningful engagement, and increase sales, now is the time to take action.

Get in touch with Thunderbolt today, and let’s turn your Pinterest presence into a powerful, revenue-generating channel that supports long-term success.