Blog · Foodservice
Winning Hearts in Foodservice: Why Visibility and Basic Service Are No Longer Enough
Learn how foodservice brands can build true customer connections and future-proof their strategy…
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Friday Night Light Outs: How Restaurants, Performance Venues, and Nightclubs Can Get Gen Z to Enjoy a Night on the Town
The nightlife economy is taking a hit as Gen Z trades clubs for nights in. Discover the drivers behind this shift and…
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Top Blink Factor Design Moments of 2025: The Year’s Standout
Explore the biggest Blink Factor moments of 2025, from pop culture and fashion to ritual and spectacle, and see how visual impact…
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What were SLD’s favorite brand redesigns of 2025?
SLD designers share their favorite brand design stories of 2025, revealing how logos, color, and simplicity build trust and connection…
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Think Ahead for 2026: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know
Learn the key shifts redefining consumer behaviour in 2026 and how brands can adapt with AI collaboration, micro-communities, cultural insight, and emotional…
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Designing for Diversity: Why Inclusive Branding Is More Than Just Representation
In this blog we explore the concept of inclusive branding, the pros and cons of adopting it, and some examples of brands…
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Why Established Brands Are Losing to Messier Competitors
We see the anti-brand strategy commonly adopted among smaller, indie brands. These niche, often digital-first companies are carving out loyal followings and…
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Think Ahead for 2025: What Undercurrents Beyond Trends Brands Need to Know
For 2025 we’ve identified five new signals of change marketers should heed…
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Website Design and The Blink Factor
In this blog, we'll explore the science behind first impressions and their effect on consumer behavior, how this applies to website design…
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Decoding Nostalgia: Why Brands Are Looking Backward
In this blog, we'll explore why nostalgia resonates so deeply with consumers, how it can be leveraged through strategic design…
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The Top Trends in Brand Strategy and Positioning
This blog will explore the top trends shaping brand strategy in 2024 and how they can direct your business toward new success…
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Apple AI, Let’s Get Personal
we explore how Apple Intelligence can offer brands innovative ways to engage with their consumers…
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Unlocking Consumer Insights: Best Practices and Tips for Effective Design Concept Research
In this blog, we’ll explore effective best practices and tips for successful design concept research…
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How Legacy Brands Can Become Relevant Again
Discover and learn from how legacy brands like Levi's, Old Spice, and Adidas regained relevance through perception shift and heritage leverage…
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How will AI be Regulated? What Brands Need to Know
Learn about the latest AI regulations by the EU. Explore the implications for retail and CPG brands in North America and how…
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The Best and Worst Brand Stories of 2023
It’s always fun to wrap up a year with a retrospective on the most interesting brand stories. However, 2023 was not exactly…
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Think Ahead for 2024: What Brands Need to Know
Discover the key challenges brands will face as they explore the need to transform their identity and CX. Learn how to remain…
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Indie Brand Launch Kit: How to Set Your Brand Up for Success
Embarking on the journey of your indie brand launch? Our Indie Brand Launch Kit is your ultimate guide to building a thriving…
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Building Brand Trust in an Age of Deep Fakes, Bot Factories & Angry AI
Explore how brands navigate trust amid misinformation, declining media credibility, and AI concerns. Learn strategies for building lasting consumer trust…
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Breaking Category Norms: 6 Brands That Went Against The Flow
Explore how some iconic brands thrive by defying norms. Learn from Chanel, Trader Joe's, Lush, and more in this blog on innovative…
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How can AI shape customer experience design?
Discover the transformative power of AI in shaping customer experience design. Learn how businesses can leverage AI for personalization and efficiency…
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The Role of AI In The Design Industry
Discover the transformative role of AI in the design industry. Explore how artificial intelligence is shaping digital experiences…
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The Three Emerging States of Digital Transformation
Digital, of all types, transformed how we live, work and shop. The next phase of the digital transformation will witness a shift…
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Customer Segmentation Strategies: Emerging Trends and Best Practices
Discover the latest customer segmentation strategies in retail. Our blog post explores emerging trends and best practices to help you optimize your…
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Future-Proof Your Company: Top Metrics to Measure for Resilience and Innovation
Learn how to future-proof your company with top metrics for resilience and innovation. Read our expert guide to stay ahead of the…
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Brand Implementation: What it is, Why it’s Important, and How to Succeed
Learn about brand implementation and how consistent and authentic implementation can create a clear, powerful presence for your brand…
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Unlocking the Power of Customer Experience Assessment: Best Practices for Evaluating Your CX Program
Discover the best practices for evaluating your customer experience program and realizing its full potential. Read now to learn more…
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Why Customer Convenience Is Critical To Circular Economy Participation
Research has shown that convenience is one of the biggest barriers to customer participation. Our latest blog focuses on how retailers can…
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How To Define Your Company’s Value Proposition (With Free Guide)
Value Propositions are one of the first steps to creating a successful branding strategy. Download our free guide to help get you…
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How To Develop An Influencer Marketing Strategy For Your Brand
Influencer Marketing is becoming increasingly popular with 74% of marketers saying they're currently using it. Learn our 5 tips for a successful…
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5 Promising Examples Of Prosperous Brands Using Circular Business Models
The global prevalence of climate-related disasters has increased the focus on finding solutions to the climate crisis. According to the most recent…
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Future-Proofing for the Metaverse
Retail and financial brands should start exploring different virtual experiences now so that they are ready for the metaverse and whatever comes…
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The Best Brand Pivots of COVID-19
To help inspire, we are revisiting the best brand pivots that we have seen during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlighting some lessons…
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Inclusive Brand Marketing 101
How can brands start to be more inclusive without making a big misstep? Here are some important rules to start the conversation…
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What Facebook’s Threat Report Means for Brands
Facebook's Threat Report shows how misinformation is being spread across the internet, validating SLD's DeepReal research and that brands must adapt…
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DeepReal Part 2: The Blurring Line Between Fact and Fiction
How consumers perceive the truth has a huge influence on their purchase habits and the brands that they support. Here is everything…
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DeepReal Part 1: Gaining Trust in a Post-Truth World
Part 1 of the DeepReal series looks at how the line between fact and fiction has blurred, and what that means for…
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How Robot Greeters Are Changing the Service Sector
Is now the time for your brand to embrace robot greeters? Here are some key things to consider…
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Micro Markets and How to Engage Gen Z Consumers
In this article, we explore a few micro-markets to get a better understanding of the many faces of Gen Z…
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The Four Characteristics that Define Indie Brands
Indie brands are disrupting traditional CPG retailers, and the trend isn't going away. Here are some key lessons from successful indie brands…
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Philanthropic Marketing and How to Stay Authentic
When it comes to philanthropic marketing, cynical consumers may question whether a brand has ulterior motives. Here are some tips on staying…
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Show Me You Care: Building a Social Brand in 2021
Social brands move beyond empty statements and help drive actual change on issues that matter to their customers. Here are some tips…
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How to Ensure Your Digital Experience is Inclusive
In this article, we explore inclusive design for digital platforms and how brands can ensure their communications are reaching everyone…
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Six Things That Will Define 2021
Here are the six things that will define 2021 and have a significant impact on every facet of our lives and how…
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Digital Marketing Strategies for 2021
As we look at some of the 2021 digital marketing trends, here are a few important considerations that can help transform your…
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How Chatbots are Changing Consumer Behavior
As chatbots rise in popularity, we take a look at how brands are leveraging this new technology and what you can do…
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Digital Distrust: How Brands Can Navigate a World of Disruption
Technology has been a salvation during COVID-19, but there is a looming threat to the digital brand experience: a growing distrust of…
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What Type of Rebrand is Right for Your Brand?
Here are some scenarios that will help you decide whether now is the time for a big change, or whether an incremental…
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Four Ways That Brands Can Encourage Mask-Wearing
As businesses begin to mandate masks in public indoor spaces to prevent the spread of COVID-19, here is a list of how…
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How to Overcome Negative Brand Perceptions
Overcoming negative brand perceptions is an important lesson all brand leaders need to understand. Here we outline how to respond to different…
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The Best Brand Responses to COVID-19
Amidst the anxiety and unknowns surrounding COVID-19, some brands have stepped up to help those in need. Here are some feel good…
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Strategies for Foodservice Brands Amidst COVID-19
As foodservice operators around the world cope with COVID-19, here are some strategies to ensure you are delivering the best service for…
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2020: The Lost Year
With no signs of COVID-19 slowing down in North America, it is time for brands to start looking past 2020. Luckily it's…
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What Brands Can Learn From China’s Handling of COVID-19
We spoke with SLD's Teddy Ma about his experience in China during COVID-19, and what North American brands can learn…
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What Rising Food Costs Mean for Foodservice Brands
Here are some strategies that foodservice operators can use to help build flexibility into their menu in response to trade wars and…
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How A Decline in Home Ownership Will Impact Brands
The move away from "ownership" is changing the way people eat, sleep, and work. Here's how the shift towards renting and smaller…
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What The Intention-Action Gap Means for Brands
While consumers may say they want to buy green, they often don't follow through. Here are some ways that brands can eliminate…
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The Evolving Definition of “Local”
Communicating which products and services are supporting the local economy has become a potential game changer. Here is what big brands need…
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The Differences Between Strategies and Tactics
Strategies and tactics are so commonplace that we often take for granted that employees still get confused by them. This guide explains…
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The Key Triggers That Drive Brand Loyalty
From creating a sense of belonging to reaffirming a customers self-image, these are the key triggers in driving brand loyalty…
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