One of the buzziest and most debated tech terms of the last 5 to 10 years is artificial intelligence. To start off with, what does the term artificial intelligence actually mean? If you just Google “define artificial intelligence,” you’ll discover that even computer scientists and engineers don’t entirely agree on what to call everything that […]
What Artificial Intelligence Means for Retail Design 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 »
Technology has been a salvation during the pandemic and has thrust us into the age of omni-channel once and for all. And yet, there is a looming threat to the digital brand experience: a growing sense of mistrust in technology and the cyber-verse. Fanned by the flames of fake news, online hate and political interference,
Digital Distrust: How Brands Can Navigate a World of Disruption 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 »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/PlaydiumOPTion2.mp4 #LIVEWILD Cineplex Entertainment is rolling out the new Playdium design across Canada to offer exciting, afforable fun for the whole family. CLIENT Cineplex PROJECT Playdium Experience Design RELATED SERVICE Brand Strategy Retail Design Environmental Graphic Design Service Design THINK Our research revealed that Gen Z and Alpha are united in one key factor:
What was your first job? Mine was as a teller at a big box store and there’s a very good chance your first job was also in retail. Maybe you were a busboy at a restaurant, or you bagged groceries or sold shoes at the mall. The retail industry is massive. In the U.S. one
The Three Pillars to Fostering Retail Pride Read More »
Any business that relies on bringing people together has been forced to pivot quickly in 2020. In some cases, innovation and resilience has shone through. In other cases, a lack of preparedness had meant closures and bankruptcies. At SLD, we have decided to take a longer view of how current trends and events have altered
Using Strategic Foresight to Understand the Future of Large Gatherings Read More »
Digital transformation was something retail organizations and financial institutions were already talking about before COVID hit. The pandemic has accelerated the trend and brought with it more challenges that were not anticipated. While brands have adopted many makeshift processes and systems to address these needs, companies are now wondering what’s going to stick after the
Digital Ecosystems and the Future of Retail and Banking Read More »
From the growth of online-only retail platforms and Fintechs to a global pandemic that has pushed many customers online, it is no secret that the retail and banking industries are at a crossroads. As new technologies emerge, SLD and JohnRyan have conducted an extensive study among retail and bank executives to better understand the new direction
THINK FUTURE: How Digital Ecosystems Will Change Retail and Banking Read More »
Any branded environment tells a story and a big part of that story is visual. Today, we’re talking to Cybelle Jones, CEO of SEGD, a not-for-profit professional organization for designers from all over the world who focus on shaping content-rich experiential spaces. Trained as an architect, she’s worked on many projects that involve historical and
How Experiential Design Can Help Tell Your Brand Story 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 »
The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated digital transformation initiatives by financial institutions and retailers, bringing the need for a robust digital ecosystem to the forefront. In a study we recently conducted with over 500 banking and retail executives, we have seen that though many realize a digital transformation is essential, there is still some confusion as
The Shift to Digital Ecosystems Read More »
As disruption from the pandemic rises and falls in waves around the globe, retail brands are pivoting their business to try and make up for related sales losses. Many brands were in good shape to manage this with robust digital and omnichannel ecosystems already in place. Many luxury brands, however, were not as well prepared.
Why Your Sales Staff Need to Be Online Read More »
It has been a rollercoaster couple of weeks for Walmart, who have gone from losing out on a joint bid with Microsoft to take over TikTok’s operations in the United States to now partnering with Oracle and claiming a 7.5 percent stake in the Chinese social media platform. While it may seem bizarre for Walmart
What Walmart’s TikTok Bid Means for Retail Read More »
What is around the next corner? Another pandemic? A trade war? Fully autonomous vehicles? While the possibilities may seem overwhelming, the brands that properly prepare for the unknowns of the future will be better equipped to withstand any unexpected occurrences. All one has to do is look at the numerous bankruptcies and closures due to COVID-19
SLD’s Guide To Future-Proofing Your Organization Read More »
Today, we’re talking about cash. Is it going to go away completely? Is it unhygienic? Should retailers still allow cash payments, or is it okay to push consumers towards cards and digital-only? Today, our President Jean-Pierre Lacroix is talking to David Fagleman, Director at Enryo, a consultancy firm in the UK that helps support financial services in
Will COVID-19 Be The Demise of Cash? Read More »
To most, shopping means paying a visit to your favorite store or mall to give yourself a feel-good experience that results in instant gratification. You leave the store feeling satisfied and well taken care of. Often, retail associates are there to offer assistance every step of the way, and, most importantly, give a sense of
Online Personalization Strategies for Fashion Retailers Read More »
Brainstorming is a practice that most businesses need to employ from time to time, but it’s not as simple as just getting a bunch of people together with a whiteboard and some sticky notes. It’s a real skill. It requires a lot of preparation, guidance, structure and a plan. You need to be able to
Tips for Running a Successful Brainstorm Session 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 »
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 »
