Inspiring the Future of Consumer Experiences
Inspiring the Future of Consumer Experiences
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 »
Starting a business is like building a house – there are some fundamentals you must get right to ensure it stays standing and provides a foundation for the future. From building a business case to naming and branding, this toolkit will help entrepreneurs and indie brands build a solid foundation. This easy-to-follow worksheet will help
Indie Brand Launch Kit: How to Set Your Brand Up for Success Read More »
In the midst of a global labor shortage, retail brands are dealing with chronic understaffing in their stores. Frontline employees are the face of retail brands; they provide service, advice and guidance, and assistance with complex transactions. A positive experience with an engaged employee can have a significant impact on the customer experience. However, with
How to Hire More Retail Workers with a Powerful Employee Value Proposition Read More »
At the end of the year, we like to regroup and look back at the big brand stories that caught our attention throughout the year. And this year was a particularly strange one. The pandemic experience has become regionalized and our appetite for doom scrolling has kind of disappeared. Political intrigues have been flying under
Best Brand Stories of 2021 Read More »
Since the pandemic began, retail has been in a state of near-constant crisis and change. For those who have made it this far in solid shape, a new challenge is arising that poses a longer-term threat: staffing. As headlines across the continent state loud and clear, there is a shortage of workers especially in frontline
Five Trends Influencing Retail’s Labour Shortage Read More »
Over the past few years, brands have more often ventured into the realm of social justice and politics, whether it’s Starbucks giving their entire retail network a day off to learn about racial equity, Dick’s Sporting Goods taking automatic guns and ammunition off their shelves, or beauty brands making a pledge to stop Photoshopping models,
Social Justice and Brand Building Read More »
In North America, demographic changes are creating a more diverse customer base. This means brand strategy and marketing needs to become more inclusive quickly. But some marketers are nervous about making mistakes trying to speak to audiences with different experiences. Today our guest is Puja Prakash, a graduate student at OCAD, completing her Master’s in
Why Authenticity and Inclusivity Must Go Hand-in-Hand Read More »
Inclusive brand marketing has become a hot topic, and for good reason. By 2036, the number of Canadians who are foreign-born will about 1 in 3, with around 35 percent belonging to one or more visible minority groups. Today, nearly 4 in 10 Americans identify their race or ethnicity as something other than white, with
Inclusive Brand Marketing 101 Read More »
Many of the attitudes and behaviours that have driven decision making for retail brands have been called into question by the pandemic, but there are other forces disrupting the consumer-brand relationship. At SLD, one that we think is critical is the rise of fake news and misinformation, especially on social platforms. We wanted to determine
DeepReal: Strategies for CPG Brands in the Age of Misinformation Read More »
Here is a little trivia for you: what is the oldest and longest-surviving company in North America? Think the fur trade, striped, colourful blankets, and a coat of arms that features one fox, two elk and four beavers. Give up? It’s Hudson’s Bay, of course! Founded in 1670 with their first department store opening in
Lessons in How to Modernize Your Legacy Brand Read More »
The inability to tell fact from fiction is being driven by a number of factors and is challenging the way that consumers perceive and engage with brands. To help gain a better understanding of how consumers discern information and make their purchase decisions, SLD conducted a study among 2000 respondents in January, 2021. As part
DeepReal Part 2: The Blurring Line Between Fact and Fiction 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 »
Formerly known as the Centre for Education & Training (TCET), Canadian not-for-profit Achēv has unveiled their full rebrand, which was spearheaded by SLD and includes a new name, logo, positioning and website. With a focus on delivering employment, youth, newcomer and language services, the rebrand has allowed Achēv to create a cohesive brand architecture that better communicates their purpose and
SLD Leads Rebrand & Web Design for Not-For-Profit, Achēv Read More »
It has been a long time since we have experienced such a disruptive year. Many of us are wondering if 2021 will bring with it the same level of uncertainty or if the dust will settle, and what a new normal will look like. To that point, at the end of each year, we provide
Six Things That Will Define 2021 Read More »
THE ART OF TEA bbtease believes in using only the best quality ingredients and crafting tea beverages with care and artistry – their new visual identity and space reflects this passion. CLIENT Bubbletease PROJECT bbtease New Brand & Store Design RELATED SERVICE Retail Design Innovation Brand Strategy Digital Experiences Digital Signage Service Design THINK The
The financial and social uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, systemic racial injustice, and widespread unemployment has meant that consumers are now reconsidering their priorities. As a result, any discretionary spending has been reprioritized and shifted elsewhere. A Mckinsey study from June 2020 found that consumers are pulling back spending in categories such as apparel and
The Shifting Values of Beauty and How Brands Can Adapt Read More »
Jewish National Fund (JNF) Canada, a not-for profit organization that fundraises for causes in Israel, has unveiled an updated brand position and visual identity that will help place the organization at the forefront of the Canadian Jewish fundraising space. Designed in collaboration with SLD and the JNF design team, the brand positioning and visual identity
JNF Unveils New SLD Designed Visual Identity Read More »
Rebranding is a risky business. Done well, it can dynamically change the future of a company. Done wrong, it can be an embarrassing public relations snafu and seriously harm your brand equity. But doing nothing is not an option. Consumers are changing, the market is changing – brands have to change too. The question is,
What Type of Rebrand is Right for Your Brand? Read More »
What does the store of the future look like? The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the entire world, and retailers are no exception. While countless well known brands have closed their doors for good, others have adapted with new and innovative ways of doing business. An accelerated move to online shopping, the ability to buy online and pick up in
Think: Inspiring the Future of Retail Read More »
The perks of operating your own independent business are often outweighed by the enormous burdens that come along with it. You become a de facto marketer, administrator, HR specialist. You work incredibly long hours and no matter what category you’re in, you’re facing increasing competition, both for clients and talent from larger organizations. For the Canadian
Change Management and Creating a Unified Brand Read More »
