Things used to be so simple. We bought nails at the hardware store, books at the bookstore, coffee from a coffee shop. We lived in communities made up primarily of dwellings, and commuted to work away from our homes. It was an easy time to be a retailer: put up a sign, stock your shelves […]
The Impact Mixed-Use Spaces Can Have on Retail Read More »
Personalization is at the top of every retailer’s list of goals. Win in personalization, and you win loyal customers who spend more. As technology improves, it will become possible to go even deeper and provide customers with highly specific service. In this blog we will explore the top experiences in personalization that are currently available,
Innovative Trends in Retail Personalization Read More »
Over five years ago, SLD introduced the word “immersive” into our company vision, and identified the term as the new definition of customer engagement. At the time, the idea of creating immersive experiences focused on how technology such as Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR) would shift the way consumers engage with brands and
The Four Levels of Immersive Experiences Read More »
Plastic, a useful and cheap material once seen as the solution to every packaging problem, is choking the planet. Although most plastic is recyclable, only about 9 percent of it is actually recycled. This means billions of tonnes of plastic end up as trash. Globally we have reached a maximum capacity for our recycling plants,
The Best Eco-Friendly Packaging Options Read More »
Once upon a time a retailer could offer products with a generalist, one-size-fits-all approach. Foodservice operators could present the same menu across their entire network. Banks could offer the same products and services at every branch. Apparel stores could stock whatever fit into their store. And people would buy. As anyone in the retail industry
Retail Storytelling Through Curation Read More »
An RFP, or Request for Proposal, is an official document that notifies potential suppliers of a new project and asks for a detailed response of their proposed fees, team members, and process. This method aims for fairness and clarity in competition for the work. A clear and concise RFP will make searching for a supplier
Checklist for an Effective RFP Read More »
Another year has come and gone, and that means it is time to do some reflecting. 2018 saw a lot of companies (including ours) undergo a rebrand, and as with every year, some turned out better than others. While there are many reasons that a company may opt for a rebrand, one thing is certain:
Our Favorite Rebrands of 2018 Read More »
In “Key Considerations When Vetting Your Strategic Partner,” we determined how you should vet your strategic design agency by exploring the three tiers of strategic requirements. Design Thinking Strategy, focused primarily on how to link the package design to underlying, unrealized opportunities in the marketplace. Brand Strategy includes a wide range of strategic tools, from positioning,
Questions to Ask When Hiring a Package Design Firm Read More »
So, you are ready to introduce a new design for your brand. It looks modern and appealing, and you think it will create a strong impact. But how can you be sure that your customers feel the same way and that this design resonates with them? Reflecting on how you, or your agency, developed and
Which Type of Design Research Should You Use? Read More »
Ah, Millennials: the fabled generation that every company is attempting to reach. Expected to surpass baby boomers in size by 2019, Millennials (also known as Generation Y, Me and Peter Pan, to name a few) are reaching their prime spending years. The impact that they will have on the economy has marketers frothing at the
Best Practices to Attract Millennials to Your Brand Read More »
Consumers may find it difficult to navigate the aisles of a grocery store, and trying to find the right product may feel like a game of Where’s Waldo? Consumer purchasing decisions are frequently influenced not by the name of the brand or the price of the product, but by the packaging in which the product
Packaging Design: Why Typography Matters For Branding Success Read More »
The investment in developing a new supermarket design is significant, and the risk is enormous. With most supermarket and grocery chains consisting of thousands of locations, converting to a new concept can be laborious and span many years. On average, most good operators renovate about 5 to 10 percent of their stores per year, putting
What is the Lifespan of a Supermarket Design Concept? Read More »
If beauty is in the eye of the beholder, it makes sense that ugliness should be as well. However, some brands are almost universally regarded as unappealing when compared to competitors. Many of those ugly packages, websites, and environments develop cult followings from loyal customers, much to the frustration of brand managers who pour their
Digital technology has impacted almost every industry in recent years, including the grocery category. You can now use your computer or phone to have someone else pick up your groceries and deliver them to your doorstep. These delivery and shopping services, such as Instacart and AmazonFresh, are meeting a key need for convenience and putting
Helping Customers Navigate Your Grocery Store Read More »
A trend that is bubbling up in neighborhoods across the continent is the resurgence of the corner store, that’s more than just a place to buy milk. There are community hubs that double as meeting spots. There are delis and bodegas that boast daily line-ups for their legendary sandwiches. And there are urban reinventions of
Hot Trend: The Corner Store as a Destination Read More »
Categories in today’s market are becoming less defined, as foodservice blends with grocery and retail and cafes offer added value within banks, bookstores, and gyms. Customers are looking for choice, custom experiences, convenience, multi-functionality, and less cultural rigidity. All-day breakfast is becoming a popular restaurant offering, the demand for gender-neutral clothing is increasing, and hybrid
Keep Your Restaurant Relevant With These Hybrid Design Tips Read More »
The food service category is in transition and many new restaurant concepts are emerging. Many established restaurants are struggling in this evolving market. Refreshing your restaurant’s brand ensures future relevance. Now is the ideal time to start the process. Business may be decreasing because of more competition or not meeting customers’ changing needs as effectively
Five Steps to Refresh Your Restaurant Experience Read More »
In a competitive banking landscape, it is often difficult to stand out and truly connect with customers. Financial services are challenging to promote. They are complex and mostly conceptual, and can lead to financial institutions all seeming the same. Branding can help solve these issues. It can differentiate a financial institution by expressing an identity
Three Visual Strategies to Connect with Banking Customers Read More »
Advantages, Disadvantages, and Societal Acceptance There has been a lot of talk recently about robots being introduced in a variety of industries, from hospitality to retail. At the Henn-na Hotel in Japan, for example, a robot dinosaur greets you at the front desk. Mario the robot greets guests in 19 languages and monitors the buffet
Do Restaurant Robot Waiters Actually Provide Great Service? Read More »
For the past decade our firm has been helping financial institutions manage tremendous industry and cultural changes, helping them remain relevant to their customers and to find efficiencies required to sustain growth. Our projects often start with the move to smart banking and new channel strategies that have lead to a decline in branch number
Five Things to Consider During a Financial Institution Transformation Read More »
