The healthcare industry is undergoing massive changes, from the introduction of robotics capable of intricate procedures to AI bringing deeper insights into diagnostic tools. However, with all of these new technologies comes a heightened risk of patient and staff anxieties silently impacting their health and wellness. The facts speak for themselves, with nearly 4 in […]
How to meet patients’ emotional needs in healthcare Read More »
While digital banking continues to reshape the industry, physical branches remain a vital part of the customer journey, especially when it comes to life’s bigger financial decisions. Their enduring relevance highlights the value of human connection in a world of automated transactions. Today’s most forward-thinking banks are transforming their branches into relationship-driven spaces, blending intuitive
Why Customers are Still Using Bank Branches Read More »
The Better-for-You (BFY) movement isn’t just a trend, it’s a complete shift in how people eat, shop, and think. Today’s consumers want it all: health, transparency, and convenience, without sacrificing taste. As the demand for feel-good, do-good snacks grows, BFY has become a driving force in reshaping the global food landscape. In response, brands are
In recent years, branding has been all about polished storytelling, aspirational lifestyles, and curated perfection. But somewhere between the perfectly aligned flat lays and hyper-curated copy, something got lost: realness (a.k.a “authenticity”). Some brands are trading polish for personality, control for chaos, and perfection for raw, messy humanity. We see the anti-brand strategy commonly adopted
Perfect Is Boring: What Big Brands Can Learn from the Rise of the Anti-Brand Read More »
Healthcare systems around the world are struggling to meet the needs of patients. Governments hope pharmacies can fill the gap by allowing them to offer a wider range of services. In many countries, patients are accustomed to seeking out a pharmacist’s advice, often in place of going to a doctor. North American consumers, however, see
How to Successfully Offer Health Services at Retail Pharmacies Read More »
Color and shape not only catch the eye, but they also guide our perception and emotions. Together, these elements transform a logo into an icon, a package into a feeling, and a brand into a relationship. Studies show we process images 60,000 times faster than text, as the majority of information we absorb is visual,
A Quick Guide on How to Use Shape and Color Choices to Influence Buying Decisions Read More »
A new aisle for CPG brands has fragmented the path to purchase. As the line between social media and e-commerce gradually blurs, platforms like TikTok and Instagram aren’t just influencing buying decisions they’re becoming the shelf. With 34% of consumers shopping online at least once a week and 70% of online purchases influenced by social
The Role of Social Commerce in CPG: Designing for the Scroll, Click, and Buy Journey Read More »
Concerns about theft in retail have been mounting since the pandemic. What’s behind the shifting dynamics of shrink and how can brands address it? Design is only one element of loss prevention, but it’s a key component. Before we get into how design can help, let’s take a look at how theft in retail stores
How Can Design Help Retailers Reduce Theft? Read More »
The Decline of Customer Service According to Forrester’s CI Index, customer service is the worst it’s been since they first started collecting data in 2016. Other reports from Cavell, Customer Contact Week Digital and the National Rage Survey confirm the findings: around half of consumers feel service has gotten worse in the past few years.
How To Turn Around Poor Customer Service In Retail Read More »
Unexpected collaborations break conventions often combining seemingly unrelated brands or industries. The purpose is to create hype, expand audiences, and enhance brand value by delivering something fresh and surprising. Packaging is where these partnerships come to life, where design sensibilities merge with compelling stories to emotionally engage consumers. In this blog, we introduce three examples
Unexpected Collaborations 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 »
Before launching a new package, store design, logo, or brand design, it’s important to gain consumer insights and feedback. It’s never been easier to research design concepts: platforms like SurveyMonkey, Qualtrics, and Pollfish provide sophisticated testing tools and access to consumer panels across the continent. However, not all research is created equal. To get the
The WBR Future Branches Conference in Boston on June 24-25 brought together banking industry leaders to discuss innovative strategies for branch evolution, customer engagement, and leveraging technology. Prominent speakers from national and regional banks and credit unions, as well as industry experts and bank executives at various levels, shared insights on transforming branch networks and
Creating accessible environments is crucial. Retailers invest billions of dollars annually to optimize their retail spaces for customer appeal. However, many do not prioritize inclusive design. Our comprehensive white paper on inclusivity in retail highlights that an accessible store is not just a legal obligation but a strategic asset that enhances customer satisfaction and loyalty
Why Prioritizing Physical Accessibility In Retail Will Create Brand Loyalty Read More »
Since the launch of ChatGPT in late 2022, generative AI has been a popular topic of conversation. Microsoft’s Copilot, Google’s Gemini, and Claude followed, as ChatGPT ignited an AI race. What was once science fiction is now a reality, with AI assistants that can respond to almost any question. Since their introduction over a year
Is Retail Banking Ready For AI-Driven Advice? Read More »
Bank branches are often perceived as transactional spaces, lacking in human touch. However, when thoughtfully designed, they possess the power to attract foot traffic and constitute a major part of a bank’s brand identity. In this blog, we’ll showcase five exceptional examples of thoughtful branch design, from Asia to Europe and North America. Each highlights
5 Great Examples of Bank Branch Design Read More »
Loyalty programs have long been a key part of many companies’ retention strategies. Most revolve around a similar idea: spend money with the company and earn points that can be used to save money or get a free item. Due to inflation, customers are turning to any method they can to save money, including loyalty
The Future of Loyalty Programs Read More »
Shikatani Lacroix Design (SLD) was invited to speak at the ebankIT Summit in Portugal on the future of seamless advice and its impact on customer loyalty in the banking sector. The presentation was based on a consumer study with a detailed comparison of the banking industry in North America and the EU/UK. It revealed nuanced
The Future of Seamless Banking and Financial Advice: EU/UK vs. North America Read More »
The financial industry is transforming rapidly. From multi-channel approaches to omnichannel experiences and the rise of AI-driven seamless banking, institutions are embracing changes at various stages. This transformation is being accelerated by Europe’s enthusiastic embrace of open banking, which will shortly be followed by open finance. Together, they offer customers greater control over their financial
Unlocking a World of Seamless Banking: Empower Customers at Every Step Read More »
