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 »
Grocery retailers fared better than most through the past five years: despite the pandemic, supply chain disruptions, global conflicts, and inflation, supermarkets are thriving. People need to eat, so it could be assumed supermarkets are invulnerable. However, two key factors suggest otherwise. Firstly, competition intensifies with international discount brands, with Lidl and Aldi entering North
How Supermarket Brands Can Make Grocery Shopping Fun 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 »
In our packaging design journey around the world, we’ve explored the diverse styles of Asia and the classic elegance of Europe. Now, we will venture into the scenic and vibrant world of Oceania, a region famous for its natural landscapes, fruits, and veggies. Oceania’s packaging design features positivity and a dash of the sunny, carefree
What can CPG Brands Learn from Packaging Design in Oceania? 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 »
Holidays and seasons are key occasions in the fast-paced world of retail, defining consumer wishes and expectations. Packaging undergoes a transformational trip from the scorching days of summer to the ominous ambiance of Halloween and the heartfelt joys of the holidays. It transforms into a canvas on which designers artfully weave the essence of the
5 Great Examples of Seasonal Packaging Read More »
The Current State of Transformation Digital transformation, for many institutions, has ended at the doorstep of their retail channels. The pandemic has accelerated the growth of both Amazon and Fintech, forcing banks and retailers to shift their focus to digital to help drive sales and customer retention. However, as digital transformation efforts mature and
Five Ways to Fill the Digital Transformation Gap for Retail Brands Read More »
As we look back on 2021, it would be nice to be able to view COVID-19 in the rearview mirror with a sigh of relief. But to quote Michael Corleone, “just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in!” This must be the way a lot of brands are feeling right now,
The Best Brand Pivots of COVID-19 Read More »
About half of Gen Z are now over 18 and are making adult financial decisions. As banks and other financial institutions look to the future, what does this diverse young generation want? In this blog, we explore emerging trends in banking preference and behavior, the driving forces behind these changes, and what banks can do
5 Things Banks Need to Know About Gen Z Read More »
Generation Z is poised to overtake Millennials as the main demographic brands want to target and understand. However, it’s problematic to lump an entire generation together simply based on their birth date. There is a tendency for media and marketers to make sweeping statements that often don’t go very deep. While trends can help point
Micro Markets and How to Engage Gen Z Consumers Read More »
It is no secret that COVID-19 has led to the reallocation of resources into pandemic-related operations/causes, with corporate giants like PepsiCo, Facebook and many others putting millions into their COVID-19 response. In the latest news, Budweiser announced that for the first time in 37 years, it will not be running an in-game Super Bowl ad.
Philanthropic Marketing and How to Stay Authentic Read More »
2020 was a tough year for many, and although 2021 is looking a little more hopeful, the fact remains that our way of life will be very different moving forward. As a result, brands should consider how to best support their customers. A year marked by a global pandemic, widespread social protests, and man-made environmental
Show Me You Care: Building a Social Brand in 2021 Read More »
Digital experiences and communications, including websites, social media and digital content, play an essential role in influencing shopper decisions, but first it has to reach the right audience. Since the outbreak of the pandemic, online interactions have increased, as has competition for your consumer’s attention. Inclusive communication and marketing design is now more important than
How to Ensure Your Digital Experience is Inclusive Read More »
It is mind-boggling how far the technology of chatting has come. Turn on a movie or television show that was filmed earlier than 2007 and you may find yourself thinking “if they had a smartphone, this conflict wouldn’t exist” – something I recently mused about in the context of the Shakespearean classic, Romeo and Juliet.
How Chatbots are Changing Consumer Behavior Read More »
COVID-19 has accelerated many of the digital transformation behaviors that were already in progress before the pandemic. While many larger retailers had the resources to adapt quickly, smaller retailers often had a tougher time in updating their physical stores. Unfortunately, this inability to adapt in-store digital signage undermined the delivery of effective communication with customers
Tips for Implementing Digital Signage on a Dime Read More »
Commercial banks operate in a buyer’s market. Since products and services of commercial banks are highly homogenous, banks find themselves trapped in a semi-perfect competition market, where they might be forced to play the price war, leading to dwindling profit margins. All banks hope to break free from this trap through differentiation and in offering
Using Behavioral Theory to Improve Bank Customer Experience Read More »
It’s no secret that the role of packaging has evolved from being strictly focused on practicality to now having a central role in a brand’s identity. These days, packaging serves as an effective marketing tool – especially with augmented and mixed reality innovations – and gives brands an opportunity to use their packaging to creating
How Mixed Reality Can Elevate Your Packaging Design Read More »
WHY ARE SOME PEOPLE AGAINST MASKS? The vocal minority of anti-science activists appear to be hogging the spotlight as the pandemic surges on, with anti-mask communities spreading misinformation on social media to the general public. This misinformation ranges from dangerously believable to full conspiracy theories. One approach is spreading “alarmist” statements, for example claiming that
Four Ways That Brands Can Encourage Mask-Wearing Read More »
While COVID-19 has been the primary concern for brands around the world over the past few months, the recent killing of George Floyd and subsequent protests in both America and abroad have changed the focus for many brands. Over the weekend it became common to see companies voice their support for racial equality and the
How Retailers Can Help Reduce Consumer Anxiety Read More »
In our 2030 predictions blog we included two of many likely scenarios. One of these we called the “Fortress Society,” which would see the increased rise of isolationist movements, a move away from global trade and a growing division between an Asian versus North America centric economy. This scenario was driven by the rise of buying locally,
The Evolving Definition of “Local” Read More »
