In the digital world, you have less time to form a lasting brand impression on a potential customer than it takes to blink. On average, a customer will form an impression about your brand in about 50 milliseconds. This makes having a good website design more than just a nice to have but an imperative. […]
Website Design and The Blink Factor Read More »
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
What Not To Automate: A retailer’s guide to smarter service experiences Read More »
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
The Impact of Exterior Signage on Customer Connection Read More »
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
Apple AI, Let’s Get Personal Read More »
/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/SLD_LandingPage_Sizzle_30sec_Canada_UPDATED-December-2025_v3.mp4 /wp-content/uploads/2025/09/Homepage_OurPeople_v07.mp4 INSIGHTS CONTACT
The QR code is a valuable commodity in Asian countries, yet its presence in North American retail continues to be slow and inconvenient. The good news is that North America has recognized the platform’s power and is catching up to its international competitors. As a globally accepted medium, QR codes have enabled retailers to increase
Why The QR Code Is Making A Comeback Read More »
Direct-to-consumer (DTC) brands have disrupted retail with unique niche offerings, greater convenience, and great savings. By rethinking simple products like shaving cream and razors, giants like Dollar Shave Club shook things up. Their success has inspired a sea of entrants into almost every category, driving up the costs of customer acquisition online and making it
How to Enter Retail for DTC 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 »
It has been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Walmart, who have gone from losing out on a joint bid with Microsoft to take over TikTok’s operations in the United States to now partnering with Oracle and claiming a 7.5 percent stake in the Chinese social media platform. While it may seem bizarre for Walmart
What Walmart’s TikTok Bid Means for Retail Read More »
Emotions drive the majority of our purchase decisions and most are at a deep rooted subconscious level. Our previous blog on neuroscience research reviewed the new tools available for marketers that are wanting a stronger understanding of how their customers feel towards various research stimuli. However, there are a variety of factors marketers and retailers can consider
Increasing Sales With The Five Emotional Levers Read More »
In the last decade, an ever-increasing share of the consumer market has been moving online. Although e-commerce sales have yet to eclipse brick-and-mortar retail transactions, the integration of young millennials and Gen X consumers into the market has pushed the trend further into the digital world. While many core marketing principles still remain the same in the
Marketing in an E-Commerce Era Read More »
The majority of financial institutions are focused on ensuring their strongest asset for driving growth, namely their retail banking network, remains relevant with the rise of Fintech start-ups and new types of banking competitors. This need is most prevalent in Asia, and more specifically China, where there is an enormous and underserved appetite for smart
The Three Phases of Smart Banking 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 »
New technology has a history of disrupting entire industries. It creates new possibilities and shifts in behavior that transform society. And yet, it is difficult to predict how an emerging technology will evolve and if it will be accepted by the majority of people. It is easy to overestimate the future impact of novel technology
The Future of AR and VR in Retail 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 »
As 2018 comes to a close, it is time to look ahead to what will influence the banking industry in 2019 and your goals for the new year. Do you have a plan for key strategic initiatives that you want to accomplish? Major trends of digital transformation and customer centricity will continue to be relevant,
The Three Biggest Opportunities for Banks in 2019 Read More »
Digital technology has changed retail. You can now buy an item from your phone and have it shipped to you without ever visiting a store. If shoppers actually visit a retailer, they often encounter digital technology such as screens, mobile app integration, augmented and virtual reality, and mobile payments. These digital experiences can help attract,
The Influence of Digital Technology in the Shopper Journey Read More »
Every industry, from trucking to healthcare, is being disrupted by non-traditional competitors, or by direct competitors that have reinvented their business model. To ensure relevancy, it is critical to create effective strategies and to understand the driving factors fuelling this disruption. Disruption happens in two different varieties, each driven by specific dynamics in the marketplace.
Emerging Industry Disruption Trends and New Business Models Read More »
Robots, chatbots, virtual reality, and geofencing are some of the hottest new tech trends that retailers are testing out — but how do you know what’s just a fad and what investment will deliver lasting results? Retailers know they need digital experiences, but at the current pace of change it’s easy to put the cart
How Digital Can Help Employees Deliver Better Service Read More »
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 »
