Supermarkets are as vulnerable to disruption, competition, and shifting customer needs as any other industry. Staying ahead of new technology and innovative threats like Amazon Go is crucial – but all the gadgets and gimmicks in the world won’t add up to success if your brand is not rooted in a strong, authentic brand story […]
Telling Exceptional Supermarket Brand Stories Read More »
Products, processes and people: The key to successful branch transformation Advanced self-service capabilities and innovative new business processes are fine and good, but if your employees aren’t buying the concept of tech-driven service delivery, you can be sure they’re not selling it, either. Some never will, but others just need effective tools and training to come up
Bank Customer Experience Summit 2018 Read More »
Maplewave, formerly Master Merchant Systems (MMS), has partnered with Toronto branding and design firm Shikatani Lacroix for a transformative rebrand of the company. To support the reinvention of the MMS brand, Shikatani Lacroix led a process with Maplewave’s company leadership to help develop a new name, logo, website, and cohesive brand experience across all collateral
Shikatani Lacroix Celebrates New Maplewave Transformation Read More »
Banks have been offering ethical funds as part of their investment offerings for some time now. However, the same way that packaged goods companies have been criticized for greenwashing, (using language that suggests environmentally-friendly qualities that a product does not actually possess), banks are also going to find themselves under increasing scrutiny when it comes
Embrace Social Responsibility with New Ethics Standards Read More »
The longevity of bank branches and other legacy channels have been called into question. As channel strategy shifts, so must the ways that financial institutions interact with their customers. In this white paper, independent banking adviser David Cavell explores the value of bank brands, branches, and channel strategy. Fill out the form below to download
Channel Strategy and the Bank Brand Read More »
Crafting a ‘Branch of the Future’ Design Strategy in the Digital Age As the role of branches continues to evolve, banks and credit unions alike are wrestling with big questions about their retail strategy. How do you ensure your branch network remains relevant with today’s digital consumers? Should you consider alternative branch formats, and if
Financial Brand Forum 2018 Read More »
Big brand grocery stores dominate the Canadian and US marketplace. From Trader Joe’s to Loblaws to Costco, whether you want cheap groceries or specialty items, the grocery wars are being waged with all guns blazing: private label programs, new interior design that mimics marketplaces, and deals, deals, deals. It seems as though there might not be room left for a
6 Ways Local Grocers can Beat Big Brands and Thrive Read More »
“Smart banking” is a catchy phrase that implies that the banking experience is better for customers. But the reality is that smart banking isn’t any smarter than banking used to be. This white paper explores the limits and possibilities of the smart banking trend and will help you decide if it’s right for your financial institution. Fill out
Are Smart Banks a Smart Idea? Read More »
The biggest challenge in any industry, from foodservice to banking, is the fact that customer loyalty is always diminishing. With new start-ups, disruptive platforms challenging the status quo, and aggressive competitors who want to win at any cost, the quest for customer loyalty has never been more difficult. It’s not that the factors or metrics
What Drives Customer Loyalty? Read More »
Experts often define the future of retail by the digital innovations shaking up the industry. But those definitions fail to consider the most important factor: how customers feel about the shopping experience. James Cook, Americas Director of Research, Retail, at JLL, sat down with Shikatani Lacroix president Jean-Pierre Lacroix to discuss the information behind “Bagged
Bagged or Boxed? The Future of Retail Read More »
TORONTO – Branding and design agency Shikatani Lacroix is expanding its team and US presence with the addition of Ian Magrisso and Carlos Garza to its roster. “We are thrilled to welcome Ian and Carlos to our team,” said Jean-Pierre Lacroix, president of Shikatani Lacroix. “Their combined skills and experience will amplify our impact across
Shikatani Lacroix Expands North American Team Read More »
2017 marked a strong shift in the political climate with the election of a controversial American president. Nationalist and liberal factions are widening around the globe, climate change is lashing out at the planet with increased flooding, hurricanes, and wildfires, and NAFTA appears to be hanging by a thread. What does all this mean for banks?
Predictions for Retail Banking in 2018 Read More »
If you had a problem with your mortgage, which of these experts would you trust for advice? A) A bank advisor; B) a television personality; C) your parents; D) the internet. The answer might seem obvious, but you’d be surprised how many people would have trouble figuring out the solution. We’ve talked before about the advice
Who Customers Turn to for Financial Advice Read More »
There is a growing trend for banks to partner with millennial-friendly retailers in the hopes of driving traffic and relevancy for their branches. From credit unions to large banks, such as Capital One’s foray into cafe experiences that rival some of the best coffee chains, the allure of finding a complimentary partner to drive branch
No, Your Bank Doesn’t Need a Coffee Shop Read More »
Jean-Pierre “JP” Lacroix of Shikatani Lacroix Design shows how technology has blurred the lines between the physical and digital world, both in the store and in the retail design process. The firm uses VR tools to do fast iterative design of retail environments and test them with customers. A digital shoe display knows which pair of Adidas one is examining in the
Building Stores for the Future – Where We Buy Read More »
Defining the future of banking is a difficult endeavor we have decided to take on, and one key aspect we are often asked about is whether or not the channel structure will resemble anything we are familiar with, or if it will drastically change. Before we look at how we believe the channel strategy will
What Will Channel Strategy Look Like in 2025? Read More »
Traditionally, food from convenience stores often focuses on packaged snacks, and hot food offerings may be perceived to be of dubious quality. Yet according to research from Nation’s Restaurant News, convenience store food quality is improving, shifting consumer perceptions and becoming a threat to fast food restaurants. However, if a fast food restaurant has moved in
Are Convenience Stores Becoming the New Quick-Service Restaurants? Read More »
Grocery chains, food specialty stores, even convenience stores and gas stations are serving up hot meals to millions of hungry, hurried customers – 2.4 billion meals in 2015 as a matter of fact. From Loblaws’ bakery-cafes serving coffee and cupcakes, to food halls with servers and salad bars at Whole Foods, grocers are tapping into
Should Supermarkets Launch their own Foodservice Brand? Read More »
Virgin Money got some well-deserved attention this week for its new UK retail space, which features bowling, air hockey, pool, and other lounge elements to redefine the banking experience. In an industry often seen as stodgy and old-fashioned, Virgin Money did the unthinkable – it made banking fun. So, whether you’re planning your own exciting new branch
7 Novelty Experiences for Retail Banks Read More »
Preparing an effective Request for Proposal (RFP) can make the difference between a successful or an unsuccessful bank transformation. This white paper covers six strategies for creating a strong RFP based on three decades of experience on both the client and supplier sides of the experience. Fill out the form below to download the full
Preparing Your Bank Transformation RFP Read More »
