2023 has witnessed many changes in brand transformation, from the controversial rebranding of Twitter to X, Nokia’s futuristic wordmark, and PepsiCo’s new logo and identity. Many of these changes were driven by the need to remain relevant to existing consumers while appealing to younger segments who look for brands to reflect their self-image. With the […]
Think Ahead for 2024: What Brands Need to Know Read More »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/11/COOP_CaseStudy_Header_720-1.mp4 COMMUNITY FOCUS Curating the power of community to create an experience like no other. CLIENT Calgary Co-op PROJECT Calgary Co-Op RELATED SERVICE Environmental Design THINK Calgary Co-op was one of the city’s first grocery chains, having operated for nearly 60 years. New competition from national grocery chains forced Calgary Co-op to reposition. Its status
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 »
https://www.sld.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/SLD_CaseStudy_FLOW_Header_720.mp4 TRANSFORMation THAT FLOWS Uniting a cable and a wireless brand into a transformational experience store featuring an adaptive digital content system. CLIENT CWC PROJECT Flow Caribbean Retail Store Design RELATED SERVICE Retail DesignDigital Experiences THINK With the amalgamation of two brands into one, Flow was redesigned with an adaptive digital content system for a
In the previous blog, we explored how culture influences creativity, starting with inspiration from the continent of Asia. This time, we’re heading to Europe, a place where packaging design has a long and fascinating history. European packaging design is known for its versatility, combining both classic and modern styles of design. It’s a diverse world
What can CPG brands learn from packaging design in Europe? 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 »
Digital signage, when used effectively, can be a powerful weapon for capturing the hearts and minds of consumers during their shopping experience. Many merchants now use digital signage to promote bargains, content, and other offerings throughout their networks. The misuse of digital signage, on the other hand, can irritate customers, leading to complaints about obtrusive
What’s Annoying Customers With Digital Signage and How To Fix It Read More »
In today’s challenging economic landscape with high inflation, many consumers are becoming increasingly budget-conscious with grocery shopping. As a result, discount and value-based retailers have been more popular as go-to destinations for some shoppers trying to minimize food costs. Research by Statista shows that the share of grocery store shoppers using Dollarama has increased by
Value-based Grocery Shopping: The Opportunities for CPG Brands Read More »
The terms “inclusion” and “inclusivity” have become a topic of growing importance in the retail world. With recent controversies stirred up by big brands such as Bud Light, Target, and The North Face, many retailers are wondering if it’s no longer safe to go inclusive in a landscape that seems to penalize those who do.
Inclusivity in Retail: What Brands Are Doing Well? 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 »
Concept stores are an innovative departure from conventional brick-and-mortar stores, offering carefully curated, immersive encounters with a brand. Investing in a store that features minimal or no products on-site seems bold and costly. Why should brands consider such an investment? While profitability might not be the immediate outcome, concept stores possess great marketing potential. Their
The Power of Concept Stores with Little or No Inventory Read More »
In 2021 we launched a consumer study series to understand how misinformation impacted consumers. We discovered that despite an emerging skepticism, there was a high level of optimism as the pandemic appeared to be subsiding and life was finally “returning to normal.” Today, inflation, the war in Ukraine, climate-related extreme weather, and political division unfolding
Building Brand Trust in an Age of Deep Fakes, Bot Factories & Angry AI Read More »
In the world of brand strategy, there are norms in each category that are considered to be the wisdom of the day. These rules are in flux, responding to changing market dynamics and consumer expectations, but it is uncommon for brands to deviate from norms. Occasionally, however, someone decides to go against the flow. In
Breaking Category Norms: 6 Brands That Went Against The Flow Read More »
Self-checkouts should be working better than they do. Although consumers are warming up to them, theft related to a cashier-less experience is so extreme that some retailers are pulling them out. Others are amping up deterrence measures, but many of these practices are rubbing consumers the wrong way. Is there a better approach? In this
Theft versus Experience: A Behavioral Approach to Self-Checkouts Read More »
In Canada, an ethnically and culturally diverse country, it’s not hard to find CPG products imported from Asia. What can CPG brands in North America learn from their designs? From the sleek simplicity of Japanese packages to the playful charm of South Korean designs and the intricate artistry of Indian creations, the variety and creativity
What Can CPG Brands Learn From Packaging Design In Asia? Read More »
While Tesla is a contentious company in the automobile industry, there is no doubt that the Tesla brand has become one of the fastest-growing automobile companies in history. The relatively new company has revolutionized the industry in more ways than one over the last decade. One of the most significant has been a change in
In the age of technology, industries are rapidly changing to incorporate new and exciting technological developments. Retail is no exception, with the introduction of many new technologies over the years. With the development of Extended Reality devices, equipping retail spaces with extended reality (XR) experiences can serve as an additional touchpoint in a brand’s omnichannel
Leveraging Extended Reality (XR) in Retail Spaces Read More »
Accurately predicting the future of retail environments, customers, and trends can be difficult for any brand. With so many businesses focusing on how to better serve Generation Z customers, an entire generation has been forgotten and cast aside: baby boomers. According to census data, there are approximately 73 million baby boomers in the United States,
Revealing Untapped Potential: How CPG Brands Can Thrive in the Baby Boomer Market Read More »
In this divided era with the growing influence of social media, retail leaders and strategists suffer a major headache: how can they sail through the stormy seas of competing ideologies while keeping customers happy? Faced with political and ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) polarization, businesses have to walk a tightrope between sticking to brand values
How can retailers navigate political and ESG polarization? Read More »
Buying a cheap knock-off used to be a dirty little secret, like when Samantha from Sex and the City is horrified to discover her designer handbag is a fake. Today, buying a cheap version of the real thing is not just ok, it can even be brag-worthy. Welcome to the world of “dupes,” the sneaky
Six Strategies Brands can use to Defend Against Dupes Read More »
