Strategic Foresight

Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

“Predicting the future” is not as daunting as it might sound. If you’re paying attention, the future is already here. For the past ten years, we’ve shared potential future scenarios brands and marketers should note as they consider new initiatives. Many of these potential futures have become reality: for example, in 2018 we explored a […]

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2025 SLD Trends Report

Retail / Annika Carroll

The road to 2025 is marked by shifting priorities and expectations. As consumers redefine their values in response to economic pressures and cultural changes, brands will need to prove their relevance by delivering meaningful, personalized experiences that go beyond traditional offerings. Our 2025 Trends Report explores four pivotal themes shaping the upcoming year: the increasing

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Future Of Cash in Retail Banking: Notes From Cash in USA Conference October 2024

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

The Cash in the USA conference, held on October 22nd in Nashville, explored cash’s current and future role in retail banking. The conference was well attended, and presenters reflected the diversity of the industry sectors that manage cash within the banking industry. SLD shared insights on how cash and its management are no longer a

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What Not To Automate: A retailer’s guide to smarter service experiences

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

Technology as part of the customer experience is everywhere. That isn’t always a good thing. Although there are many ways in which automation and digital experiences have enhanced, expanded, and sped up service, not every touch point is ideally served through tech. In this blog we’ll explore key aspects of the customer experience where a

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The Impact of Exterior Signage on Customer Connection

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

Exterior signage is your brand’s calling card to the world. It’s a simple element with a massive impact, a visual cue that tells people who you are, what you stand for, and what they can expect inside. In this blog, we dive into why exterior signage matters and how it works. A-Pillar of Brand Identity

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Elevating The Banking Customer Experience: Notes from the 2024 ICX/BCX Summit

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

At the 2024 Networld Media Group Banking Customer Experience Summit in Charlotte, experts gathered to discuss how AI, sustainability, and evolving consumer behaviors are reshaping the customer journey across industries. From retail banking to tech-driven customer experiences, the summit highlighted the importance of aligning business strategies with customer needs in today’s digital age. Sustainability and

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How Dentists Are Leading The Way in Healthcare Clinic Design

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

Dentistry is one of the most aesthetic of the medical professions, so it’s no surprise they lead the way when it comes to clinic design. Modern dental practices have moved away from the sterile, often tired-looking office spaces towards bolder and brighter settings that merge function, hospitality, and style. Ultimately, dentists have proven that interior

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Apple AI, Let’s Get Personal

Brand Strategy, Packaging Design / Annika Carroll

No topic has been more buzzy over the last year than advanced AI such as ChatGPT and Dall-E. Apple’s recent announcement of the launch of Apple Intelligence adds another opportunity for marketers to explore how AI could support better customer experiences. Apple’s devices and user experience have always accelerated shifts in customer behaviors – will

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Digital Signage Study: Impact And Insights

Retail / David Magnus

THINK Digital signage in bank branches has become essential in transforming customer experiences and communication methods. However, there remains a debate in many institutions on the value of investing in digital platforms within the branch. This report confirms the significant impact of digital signage from consumer and banker perspectives, identifying opportunities to improve digital signage

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How will AI be Regulated? What Brands Need to Know

Brand Strategy, Communications, Organizations, Retail, Thought Leadership / Melinda Deines

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

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The Best and Worst Brand Stories of 2023

Brand Engagement, Brand Strategy / Matthew Wilson

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

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2024 SLD Trends Report

Retail / Matthew Wilson

The world appears to have drastically changed in 2023. With conflicts erupting all over the world, inflation taking hold, and the unprecedented growth of commercially available AI, brands have had to manage and react to a wide range of issues. 2024 will be a year for brands to demonstrate their beliefs and their concern for

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Building Brand Trust in an Age of Deep Fakes, Bot Factories & Angry AI

Brand Strategy / Melinda Deines

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

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Inclusivity In Retail Banking

Financial Services / Matthew Wilson

Why study inclusion now? It’s been a hot topic for the past ten years, with chief diversity officers and DEI training becoming more commonplace. However, a backlash against “wokeness” is rising, driven by social media and hard-right politicians. Brands increasingly find themselves targeted for acts of inclusion, such as partnering with LGBTQIA+ content creators or

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5 Mistakes Banks Are Making With Bank Branch Closures

Financial Services / Matthew Wilson

Digital banking has become a priority for many central banks during the pandemic. As a result, many financial institutions have taken advantage of the opportunity to reduce their branch network. According to research, 2021 had one of the highest rates of bank closures, up 38% from the previous year. With banks making decisions to close

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Canadian Produce Marketing Association 2023

Matthew Wilson

SLD President Jean-Pierre Lacroix delivers a presentation on what the future of sustainable packaging looks like to the Canadian Produce Marketing Association. The video below will cover: The challenge with sustainable packaging in both Canada and North America Why the Circular Economy might be a solution A visual exploration of what the Supermarket of the

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What Will 2023 Look Like For Retail Brands?

Brand Strategy, Retail, Thought Leadership / Matthew Wilson

We are emerging from the pandemic and should expect a period of chaos as customers establish new values, such as working from home, inflation, and the recession. At the same time, companies try to respond to remain relevant. Our predictions for 2022 were fairly accurate, citing increased automation, the need to go green, the emergence

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SLD’s 2023 Trends Report

Retail / Matthew Wilson

As the calendar turns to the new year, brands have faced numerous challenges throughout the year. From growing digital workforces to the latest NFT craze, brands have found success by listening to what their customers and audiences truly want. 2023 is set to be a year when brands show their appreciation for not only their

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Why Digital Banking Services Can’t Beat The Superior Branch

Financial Services / Matthew Wilson

Banking trust is still regarded as one of the top priorities for consumers, with research indicating that it is one of the most important factors in selecting a bank. It is critical to demonstrate trust as a brand and as a service in order to attract customers and create customer engagement. With the rise of

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Overcoming Bad Press

Brand Strategy / Matthew Wilson

No brand is immune to falling from grace even beloved brands have come under fire for both serious misconduct and things that are completely beyond their control. Some have managed to regain consumer confidence while others stumbled for years or even completely faltered. In today’s conversation, we’re talking about how brands need to address negative

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Strategic Foresight

Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know

2025 SLD Trends Report

Future Of Cash in Retail Banking: Notes From Cash in USA Conference October 2024

What Not To Automate: A retailer’s guide to smarter service experiences

The Impact of Exterior Signage on Customer Connection

Elevating The Banking Customer Experience: Notes from the 2024 ICX/BCX Summit

How Dentists Are Leading The Way in Healthcare Clinic Design

Apple AI, Let’s Get Personal

Digital Signage Study: Impact And Insights

How will AI be Regulated? What Brands Need to Know

The Best and Worst Brand Stories of 2023

2024 SLD Trends Report

Building Brand Trust in an Age of Deep Fakes, Bot Factories & Angry AI

Inclusivity In Retail Banking

5 Mistakes Banks Are Making With Bank Branch Closures

Canadian Produce Marketing Association 2023

SLD’s 2023 Trends Report

Why Digital Banking Services Can’t Beat The Superior Branch

Overcoming Bad Press

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