MASTER
2021 was not the year many had hoped for. The pandemic, natural disasters, inflation, supply chain issues and a persistently polarized planet has put humanity’s resilience to the test. Yet, with the new year’s arrival, there is renewed hope that conditions will stabilize and provide retailers with a clearer look ahead. As a future-focused strategic […]
What Will 2022 Look Like for Retail Brands? Read More »
As we look back on 2021, it would be nice to be able to view COVID-19 in the rearview mirror with a sigh of relief. But to quote Michael Corleone, “just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” This must be the way a lot of brands are feeling right now,
The Best Brand Pivots of COVID-19 Read More »
Since the pandemic began, retail has been in a state of near-constant crisis and change. For those who have made it this far in solid shape, a new challenge is arising that poses a longer-term threat: staffing. As headlines across the continent state loud and clear, there is a shortage of workers especially in frontline
Five Trends Influencing Retail’s Labour Shortage Read More »
There are many lessons to be taken from COVID-19 and how consumers have changed their shopping habits. From online versus in-store to big box versus mom and pops, some shifts may have longer-term ramifications than others. One interesting (if not surprising) result of the current pandemic is that brand loyalty is often replaced in favor
The Four Characteristics that Define Indie Brands Read More »
After a tumultuous 2020, the banking industry is transforming itself from being the root of the issue in the last financial crisis (2008) to being part of the solution in this one. Not surprisingly though, different banks are at different stages of transformation. In this article, we look at some of the best practices from
What Does Smart Banking Look Like in 2021? Read More »
2020 was a tough year for many, and although 2021 is looking a little more hopeful, the fact remains that our way of life will be very different moving forward. As a result, brands should consider how to best support their customers. A year marked by a global pandemic, widespread social protests, and man-made environmental
Show Me You Care: Building a Social Brand in 2021 Read More »
The distribution of COVID-19 vaccines has begun, and with them come a welcome light at the end of the tunnel for retailers who faced unprecedented challenges in 2020. Even those that did well, such as grocery stores and big boxes, have faced unforeseen challenges – who would ever have imagined that policing hand sanitization or
What Retailers Need to Know About COVID Vaccines Read More »
The world continues to struggle to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, and in its wake, consumer behavior, and therefore, brand service design, is being rewired. The good news is the recent announcements by Pfizer Inc. and Moderna regarding the viability of their vaccines energized financial markets and provided a much-needed sign of hope. The race to
What Brands Can Learn from the COVID-19 Vaccine Trials Read More »
COVID-19 has accelerated many of the digital transformation behaviors that were already in progress before the pandemic. While many larger retailers had the resources to adapt quickly, smaller retailers often had a tougher time in updating their physical stores. Unfortunately, this inability to adapt in-store digital signage undermined the delivery of effective communication with customers
Tips for Implementing Digital Signage on a Dime Read More »
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives by financial institutions and retailers, bringing the need for a robust digital ecosystem to the forefront. In a study we recently conducted with over 500 banking and retail executives, we have seen that though many realize a digital transformation is essential, there is still some confusion as
The Shift to Digital Ecosystems Read More »
To most, shopping means paying a visit to your favorite store or mall to give yourself a feel-good experience that results in instant gratification. You leave the store feeling satisfied and well taken care of. Often, retail associates are there to offer assistance every step of the way, and, most importantly, give a sense of
Online Personalization Strategies for Fashion Retailers Read More »
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE AGAINST MASKS? The vocal minority of anti-science activists appear to be hogging the spotlight as the pandemic surges on, with anti-mask communities spreading misinformation on social media to the general public. This misinformation ranges from dangerously believable to full conspiracy theories. One approach is spreading “alarmist” statements, for example claiming that
Four Ways That Brands Can Encourage Mask-Wearing Read More »
COVID-19 has accelerated many trends, one of which is the demise of poor performing retail chains. In recent recent news, brands such as Brooks Brothers and Pier 1 Imports have joined an extensive list of retailers filing for Chapter 11. For many retailers, even before the pandemic the size of their network was bloated and brought down the overall performance
Why Retail Stores Are More Important Than Ever Read More »
While COVID-19 has been the primary concern for brands around the world over the past few months, the recent killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests in both America and abroad have changed the focus for many brands. Over the weekend it became common to see companies voice their support for racial equality and the
How Retailers Can Help Reduce Consumer Anxiety Read More »
Amidst COVID-19, many retail industry experts’ response to the pandemic has been to question the future relevance of the bricks and mortar retail channel. They argue the pandemic has accelerated the current damage created by trade wars, the consumer shift to online retailers and the fact that North America is over stored, leading to the
Strategies For Retail Brands During and After COVID-19 Read More »
Download This Report and Take It With You! China’s post-pandemic shift to a new normal started more than a month ago, with the majority of businesses fully operational. The pandemic has temporarily slowed China’s growth, due in part to the disruption in exports as most Western countries’ manufacturing and service industries remain significantly impacted by
What Banks Can Learn From China’s Handling of COVID-19 Read More »
The past few months have been a whirlwind of ups and downs for CPG brands as the COVID-19 crisis presents new challenges and opportunities. From manufacturing and processing plant contagion to panic buying and empty shelves, CPG brands are under pressure and as part of the food supply chain, that pressure isn’t going to let
Short-Term Strategies for CPG Brands Amidst COVID-19 Read More »
Not since the second world war has the entire planet been so focused on a singular event. Stories about economic impact, charts of the curve… it’s all consuming and can feel exhausting. But in the midst of the anxiety and very real impact, there are also stories of inspiration – people doing what they can
The Best Brand Responses to COVID-19 Read More »
Following the recession in the late 2000’s, consumers tightened their proverbial belts and ushered in an era that was dubbed the New Frugality. At the time, economists predicted that consumers would be more conscious about what they were spending their money on and a renewed focus would collectively be placed on making the most of every
Why Retailers Should Embrace “Little Luxuries” Read More »
The foodservice industry has not lived through a global crisis of such magnitude since World War II. Arguably even the greatest wars have not matched the impact of COVID-19 on the foodservice industry. Built on strong social values of sharing time together, during other kinds of crises the foodservice industry has offered a meaningful way
Strategies for Foodservice Brands Amidst COVID-19 Read More »
