The State of Open Banking As we enter the next decade, Open Banking will accelerate from the regulatory to the implementation stages in North America. Look no further than Europe for positive clues of the impact on consumer banking with now more than 63 million Open Banking users led by the UK, followed by Germany, […]
Exploring Open Banking Branch Experience Opportunities Read More »
Brand strategy and positioning are like a compass and a spotlight for your business. A compass guides decision-making and operational actions, keeping you on track toward your goals. A spotlight highlights your unique strengths and values, helping you clearly stand out in a crowded market. This blog explores the top trends shaping brand strategy in
The Top Trends in Brand Strategy and Positioning Read More »
Trends in novelty retail experiences are redefining how brands connect with consumers. These immersive and unexpected spaces offer a sense of discovery, tapping into customers’ desires and behaviors. In this blog, we introduce some of the latest trends in novelty retail experiences and explore how they may be shaping the future of retail. Multi-sensory Retail
Novelty Retail Experiences: Trends and Predictions Read More »
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
Future Of Cash in Retail Banking: Notes From Cash in USA Conference October 2024 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 »
The wellness industry has been growing rapidly, with technology solutions such as wearables, personalized products such as 3D printed vitamins, and in-home gym and workout equipment. In the retail sector, hot trends in healthy lifestyles are changing certain categories and creating new ones. In today’s blog, we’ll explore how trends in wellness are reshaping health-focussed
How the Huberman Podcast is Influencing Retail 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 »
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
Elevating The Banking Customer Experience: Notes from the 2024 ICX/BCX Summit Read More »
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
How Dentists Are Leading The Way in Healthcare Clinic Design 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 »
Sometimes it’s hard to know when to make a change, and when it comes to packaging design, there is no set rule. However, like any aspects of a brand, packaging can become outdated or ineffective over time. But knowing when to refresh your design can make a huge impact on how your products perform in
Five Signs it’s Time to Update Your Packaging Design Read More »
In an uncertain economy, grocery stores have a unique opportunity to win over customers through pricing as food costs continue to rise. With the rapid expansion of private label brands across North America, grocers have been able to introduce excellent private label offerings that deliver both selection and value. With this rise, how can grocery
How Private Labels Can Capitalize on Value-Based Grocery Shopping Read More »
In Canada, the new front-of-pack labels for foods high in sugar, salt, and saturated fats are the latest in a wave of packaging regulations attempting to help consumers make healthy food choices. In today’s blog, we’ll ask some of the SLD team to weigh in on how they’re working to address the new FOP regulations,
How to Deal with FOP Warning Labels and What to Expect Read More »
Inclusion has become part of the vocabulary of almost every retailer. While some have introduced inclusive aspects into their retail designs, many still have not met consumer expectations. Gen Z has consistently called for more inclusive environments, with 66% of respondents from our Inclusivity in Retail study indicating that inclusive retail elements enhanced their shopping
Creating an Inclusive Environment that Appeals to Gen Z Read More »
In an age of information overload, consumer attention is more divided than ever. CPG brands are constantly searching for new strategies to not only capture attention but to hold it. This brings us to the simple yet powerful tool of gamification. Our 2023 research “Gamification for CPG: The Power of Simple Games and Rewards” demonstrated that
The Power of Puzzle-Solving and Lotteries for CPG Brands Read More »
Rebranding a non-profit organization or charity offers a strategic opportunity to realign the visual identity with its core vision and mission. Through a thoughtful system with design elements such as wordmarks, icons, and color palettes, the brand can effectively communicate its values to stakeholders in a visual manner. In this blog, we’ll use five successful
The Benefits of Rebranding Your Non-profit Organization or Charity Read More »
Widely popular brands can become yesterday’s news for a variety of reasons. Trends change, and new brands disrupt old ones. Established perceptions that once drove growth can become detrimental. Some companies throw in the towel and decide to start from the bottom up. But, creating a new brand from nothing is even more difficult than
How Legacy Brands Can Become Relevant Again 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 »
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 »
