Loyalty programs have long been a key part of many companies’ retention strategies. Most revolve around a similar idea: spend money with the company and earn points that can be used to save money or get a free item. Due to inflation, customers are turning to any method they can to save money, including loyalty […]
The Future of Loyalty Programs Read More »
When customers are shopping for groceries, they make decisions quickly about what to buy. Most of the items they select will be regular, habitual choices. This makes it harder for brands to capture new shoppers. Front-of-pack design is the last opportunity brands have to make an impression. A visually arresting design catches the eye and
How Packaging Claims Can Gain Consumer Trust and Why Read More »
During 2023, a strategy that CPG brands have been using for a long time made headlines, and some customers were concerned about it. You guessed it: shrinkflation. After years of going relatively unnoticed, the practice of hidden price changes is in the spotlight. As grocery prices rose an average of 11% in 2023, customers, journalists,
The Future of Shrinkflation for CPG Brands Read More »
Lawmakers around the world are scrambling to regulate advanced artificial intelligence (AI) technologies. The European Union (EU) recently passed the Artificial Intelligence Act, while President Biden has signed several executive orders regarding advanced AI. Canada’s Bill C-27, not yet passed, attempts to regulate AI but has come under heavy criticism for being insufficient. As retail
How will AI be Regulated? What Brands Need to Know Read More »
It’s always fun to wrap up a year with a retrospective on the most interesting brand stories. However, 2023 was not exactly a fun year. With the overwhelming number of gravely serious events unfolding around us, good news has been hard to come by. In our look back on 2023, we won’t avoid some of
The Best and Worst Brand Stories of 2023 Read More »
2023 has witnessed many changes in brand transformation, from the controversial rebranding of Twitter to X, Nokia’s futuristic wordmark, and PepsiCo’s new logo and identity. Many of these changes were driven by the need to remain relevant to existing consumers while appealing to younger segments who look for brands to reflect their self-image. With the
Think Ahead for 2024: What Brands Need to Know Read More »
In a world where inflation and the rising cost of living have become increasingly apparent, private labels are emerging as go-to brands for affordability and quality. These private labels, not limited to grocery chains but also found in discount retailers and cosmetics brands, offer a compelling alternative to national brands. What makes these private labels
5 Great Examples of Private Label Design in Grocery Retail Read More »
In today’s challenging economic landscape with high inflation, many consumers are becoming increasingly budget-conscious with grocery shopping. As a result, discount and value-based retailers have been more popular as go-to destinations for some shoppers trying to minimize food costs. Research by Statista shows that the share of grocery store shoppers using Dollarama has increased by
Value-based Grocery Shopping: The Opportunities for CPG Brands Read More »
The terms “inclusion” and “inclusivity” have become a topic of growing importance in the retail world. With recent controversies stirred up by big brands such as Bud Light, Target, and The North Face, many retailers are wondering if it’s no longer safe to go inclusive in a landscape that seems to penalize those who do.
Inclusivity in Retail: What Brands Are Doing Well? Read More »
Starting a business is like building a house – there are some fundamentals you must get right to ensure it stays standing and provides a foundation for the future. From building a business case to naming and branding, this toolkit will help entrepreneurs and indie brands build a solid foundation. This easy-to-follow worksheet will help
Indie Brand Launch Kit: How to Set Your Brand Up for Success Read More »
Concept stores are an innovative departure from conventional brick-and-mortar stores, offering carefully curated, immersive encounters with a brand. Investing in a store that features minimal or no products on-site seems bold and costly. Why should brands consider such an investment? While profitability might not be the immediate outcome, concept stores possess great marketing potential. Their
The Power of Concept Stores with Little or No Inventory Read More »
In 2021 we launched a consumer study series to understand how misinformation impacted consumers. We discovered that despite an emerging skepticism, there was a high level of optimism as the pandemic appeared to be subsiding and life was finally “returning to normal.” Today, inflation, the war in Ukraine, climate-related extreme weather, and political division unfolding
Building Brand Trust in an Age of Deep Fakes, Bot Factories & Angry AI Read More »
In the world of brand strategy, there are norms in each category that are considered to be the wisdom of the day. These rules are in flux, responding to changing market dynamics and consumer expectations, but it is uncommon for brands to deviate from norms. Occasionally, however, someone decides to go against the flow. In
Breaking Category Norms: 6 Brands That Went Against The Flow Read More »
In Canada, an ethnically and culturally diverse country, it’s not hard to find CPG products imported from Asia. What can CPG brands in North America learn from their designs? From the sleek simplicity of Japanese packages to the playful charm of South Korean designs and the intricate artistry of Indian creations, the variety and creativity
What Can CPG Brands Learn From Packaging Design In Asia? Read More »
In this divided era with the growing influence of social media, retail leaders and strategists suffer a major headache: how can they sail through the stormy seas of competing ideologies while keeping customers happy? Faced with political and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) polarization, businesses have to walk a tightrope between sticking to brand values
How can retailers navigate political and ESG polarization? Read More »
Inclusion has grown in importance and is being recognized in a variety of areas, including retail store design. In retail store design, inclusiveness entails making spaces accessible, welcoming, and safe for all customers, regardless of their background or physical abilities. The recent politicization of “woke” ideas and policies has created the perception of a divide
Inclusivity In Retail Read More »
Planning for future disruptions is critical to remain competitive. Predicting change far into the future is becoming more challenging. According to our recent study on measuring what matters, focusing solely on return on investment is no longer the best predictor of performance and resilience. Estimating a company’s future value or investment involves metrics such as
Future-Proof Your Company: Top Metrics to Measure for Resilience and Innovation Read More »
Companies are increasingly using rewards programs to motivate and retain employees and customers. Industries can benefit from an employee rewards program, which combines various elements to recognize employees for their work and dedication. For instance, finance, a sector often plagued by high customer attrition and average employee satisfaction, can significantly improve its outlook with such
4 Reasons Why Your Company Needs an Employee Rewards Program Read More »
As the digital era progresses, businesses must remain aware of the ever-changing landscape of consumer behavior. Generation Z is a powerful generation that is quickly becoming one of the world’s most important consumer groups. Companies must adapt their strategies to appeal to this diverse demographic, which has varying expectations for packaging design and innovation. Packaging
4 Strategies for Engaging Generation Z with Your Packaging Design Read More »
Successful brands understand their true value is not a product or service, but the consistent delivery of an idea that resonates with their consumer. Nike sells empowerment, not shoes. Apple sells innovation, not computers. Sephora sells self-expression, not cosmetics, and so on. But simply identifying a powerful position is not enough. How consistently and authentically
Brand Implementation: What it is, Why it’s Important, and How to Succeed Read More »
