White Papers
How Foodservice Brands Can Turn Recognition Into Emotional Connection
Is your Foodservice brand just a logo or an experience? Learn how to build a deeper, personal connection with your customers…
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The Inheritance Imperative: How Branch Design Captures Loyalty in The Great Wealth Transfer
A dual-market study explores the upcoming great wealth transfer, revealing how investors and bankers view risk, channels, and advisory spaces…
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Why CPG Brands Are Winning Attention but Losing Emotional Connection
See why 66% of consumers feel CPG brands don't reflect their emotions. The Think Blink Study offers a roadmap to align brand…
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The Teller Paradox: Speed Versus Privacy in Bank Teller Modernization
Research-backed insights on the tension between automation and human connection and how privacy-led teller design drives loyalty in banking…
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2026 SLD Trends Report
Explore the major consumer shifts shaping 2026, from nationalism to AI tensions, and learn how brands can stay relevant through future-focused strategy…
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Why Restaurant Chains Need More Than Customer Experience to Build Loyalty
This joint study by SLD and The Customer Obsession Advantage analyzes 2,000 customer reviews across 18 major restaurant chains. Discover the 4…
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Why Community Banks Need to Turn Legacy Trust Into Modern Loyalty
SLD conducted a consumer study to uncover perceptions of community banking, identify unmet needs, and reveal strategies that can help reposition these…
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What Community Banking Means to Consumers Today
The definition of community is shifting, and with it, the role of financial institutions in fostering trust, engagement, and long-term loyalty. Traditionally…
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Why Community Banks Are Losing Customers and How They Can Win Them Back
SLD’s latest research examines the state of community banking from a consumer perspective, identifying key drivers of attrition and opportunities for growth…
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The Brand Connection Crisis: How Loneliness Is Changing Customer Loyalty
Loneliness is increasingly being recognized as a connection crisis. Learn how you can turn these insights into strategies that resonate with your…
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The Restaurant Loyalty Gap: Why Some Chains Thrive While Others Struggle
Discover how casual dining and fast-casual chains can boost customer loyalty by mastering key customer obsession practices…
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2025 SLD Trends Report
Our 2025 Trends Report explores four pivotal themes shaping the upcoming year. Read our full report to learn how to stay ahead…
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How Digital Signage Improves the Bank Branch Customer Experience
This study reveals the impacts of digital signage in the financial industry on consumer behavior, perception and overall satisfaction…
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Win The Race Of Branch Transformation: 5 Strategies For Banks
A massive investment swing from digital transformation to retail networks is happening among financial institutions. Bank of America, JPMorgan Chase, and PNC…
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2024 SLD Trends Report
Our 2024 Trends Report focuses on emerging patterns to keep your brand ahead of the competition. Read our full 2024 Trends Report…
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Using Gamification For CPG Brands
We hypothesized that simple games and direct rewards would enhance consumer engagement and loyalty for CPG brands…
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Why Bank Branches Still Matter for Financial Advice
Why should we invest more in providing trustworthy financial advice? We projected that financial institutions, empowered by digital transformation initiatives, would need…
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Inclusivity In Retail Banking
In branch design, inclusiveness entails making spaces accessible, welcoming, and safe for all customers, regardless of their background or physical abilities. Our…
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Why Inclusive Retail Design Drives Customer Loyalty
Uncover the power of inclusivity in retail. Our white paper explores strategies to create inclusive experiences and boost customer engagement. Download now…
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Why Banks Need More Than Digital Tools to Keep Customers Loyal
Discover the most recent banking strategies for reducing attrition with an exceptional customer experience. Our white paper provides useful insights and tips…
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SLD’s 2023 Trends Report
Check out our key retail trends for brand success in 2023 that impact how customers find, shop, and feel about retail…
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How Circular Retail Services Build Customer Loyalty
Should brands include Circular Economy services in their product offerings? Read SLD's most recent study on how these services increase brand loyalty…
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Why Seamless Banking Still Needs Human Connection
Bank closures reached an all-time high with over 4000 branches closed since 2000. This SLD study seeks to explore why this is…
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The Supermarket of the Future
What does the Supermarket of the Future look like? In our latest design exploration, we examine what the grocery sector can do…
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Taking Rewards and Recognition to the Next Level
With financial institutions offering rewards programs for both employees and customers a standard practice, the question remains – just how effective are…
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The Future of Sustainable Packaging
New Trends, Materials, Processes for Sustainable Packaging Design…
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Why Banks Need to Measure Customer Experience, Not Just ROI
MEASURING WHAT MATTERS: Elevating the importance of a return on experience…
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Humanizing the Health and Wellness Clinic
In this design exploration, we envision a humanized healthcare clinic experience and provide some insights on how to better engage healthcare customers…
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SLD’s 2022 Trends Report
Gain insights into the key trends that will impact the way in which people shop and interact with brands in 2022…
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Why Retail Digital Transformation Needs a More Human Approach
Physi-digital transformations take into account both digital technology and humans. Here's how retailers can make the most of their transformation…
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Physi-Digital: Humanizing Digital Transformation for Healthcare
Physi-digital transformations take into account digital technology and humans. Here's how healthcare networks can make the most of their transformation…
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Physi-Digital: Humanizing Your Bank’s Digital Transformation
Physi-digital transformations take into account digital technology and humans. Here's how financial institutions can make the most of their transformation…
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E-Commerce for CPG: Key Consumers & Emerging Behaviors
E-Commerce for CPG looks at the key consumers and emerging behaviors that CPG brands should be aware of as they look to…
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How Retailers Can Build Trust in the Age of Misinformation
In an age of misinformation, how can brands build trust with consumers? Based on our research, here are some strategic tactics that…
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DeepReal: Strategies for Banks in the Age of Misinformation
In an age of misinformation, how can brands build trust with consumers? Based on our research, here are some strategic tactics that…
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DeepReal: Strategies for CPG Brands in the Age of Misinformation
In an age of misinformation, how can brands build trust with consumers? Based on our research, here are some strategic tactics that…
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The Future Of The Mall – A Design Exploration
As malls around the world face disruption, we came up with some design concepts that answer the question: What does the future…
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The Guide to Humanizing Your Brand’s Digital Experience
This guide outlines how to humanize your brand's digital experience and find the right balance between technology and human interaction…
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2021 Trends and Implications for Retail Brands
From design trends to political influences, here are some 2021 retail trends that could impact brands and their customers…
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Using Strategic Foresight to Understand the Future of Large Gatherings
Leveraging Strategic Foresight and Scenario Planning, SLD has taken a look at the future of large gatherings and how they could change…
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The Two Customer Personas of COVID-19
COVID-19 has split consumers into two groups: optimists and pessimists. Here's why you should update your customer personas to reflect their shopping…
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COVID-19: Retail’s New Reality
To help retailers remain relevant after COVID-19, SLD conducted consumer research to determine how shopping habits will change. Read the full report…
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COVID-19: CPG’s New Reality
To help CPG brands remain relevant after COVID-19, SLD conducted consumer research to determine how shopping habits will change. Read the full…
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COVID-19: Foodservice’s New Reality
SLD conducted consumer and industry research to better understand how COVID-19 will impact foodservice operators. Download the full report here…
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COVID-19: Retail Banking’s New Reality
Based on a bank customer study, SLD has published a report on what the future of banking could look like, post COVID-19…
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Worksheet: Techniques to Plan for Future Trends and Scenarios
STEEP and 4P methods are great ways for future planning. Here are some ways that a company can use these strategies to…
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Check Off Every Step of Your Brand Transformation
Planning to transform your brand? This handy checklist will ensure you don't miss a single thing…
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The Three Big Changes That Are Coming to Banking (And How to Handle Them)
Here are the biggest changes headed for the banking industry today, and how financial services institutions can stay relevant to their customers…
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Worksheet: Finding the Insights that Drive Foresight
To assist in planning and implementing a consumer study here is a worksheet with eight easy to follow and understand steps…
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Worksheet: Project Charter
Every project needs to be clearly defined from the beginning. Use this worksheet to ensure you have the greatest chance for success…
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Worksheet: How Brands Can Learn From Their Competitors
Use these tools to conduct competitor research and to understand your competitive landscape today, allowing you to boost your business' performance…
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Decisions in the Blink of an Eye
In Desire by Design, Jean-Pierre Lacroix unravels the irrational element of desire and explains how brands, designers, and marketers can tap into…
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How Banks Can Redefine Their Business Model
The current banking model is under siege. It’s time to re-evaluate the business model to create value for customers and address their…
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Are Insurance Companies the Latest Threat to Banks?
As fintech changes the retail banking industry, insurance companies increasingly see opportunity in the move to offering banking services…
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How Banks Can Plan For 2019
There are no guarantees or crystal ball allowing banks to predict what 2019 will bring them. This white paper provides you with…
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How Banks Can Leverage a Walletless World
Technological advancements continue to shape customer's expectations of their bank's services. Here is how their needs are redefining the banking industry…
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Cult Brands and How to Build One
In this whitepaper, we define "cult brands" and explain what makes them successful. Learn how you can build a cult following for…
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When Customer Behavior Catches Up with Banking Technology
Based on current international banking trends and technologies, we explore the things retail banks will need to know about connecting with future…
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What Is Your Retail Brand’s Emotional Equity?
Building relationships with customers requires more than technology as the sole solution. Here is how to drive a strong emotional connection with…
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Worksheet: Benchmark Marketing for Banks (and How to Use It)
Use this worksheet to establish marketing benchmarks by analyzing your competition in the banking industry…
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Four Strategies for Creating a Compelling Brand Story Villain
Your customer is the hero of your brand story, and your brand. The villain, however, can be a tougher character to define…
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NXT Bank: From Branches to “Fincosystems”
SLD has conducted research into possible outcomes for bank branches. This white paper discusses our process, key findings and potential implications…
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Branch Formats and Archetypes for the Future
The next generation of retail banking will look a lot different than it does now. Here's what rising customer needs will mean…
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Banking on the Edge: The Digital Implications
Edge computing is a new way to process data. Still in its early stages, we have identified four ways it could revolutionize…
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Is Your Business Targeting the Right Personas?
When built and implemented intentionally, customer personas can transform your marketing efforts. Here's your guide to building better personas…
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Creating Customer Personas for Banks
The development of customer personas allows for more focused efforts within the banking industry. Here is how to ensure you are targeting…
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Four Disruptive Trends that Will Threaten Your Brand’s Relevancy
Learn what emerging trends will challenge your brand, and how you can be agile enough to adapt and succeed in today's economy…
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Why Retail Brands Need Cross-Functional Thinking
If brands want to create a seamless experience for consumers, cross-functional teams need to become the status quo. Here is how you…
Read More » Retail Immersive Experience Defined
SLD explored how customers define and perceive the value of immersive experiences in their latest research. Discover the findings…
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Telling Exceptional Supermarket Brand Stories
Learn why brand stories make all the difference between strong companies and weak ones, and how to tell better supermarket industry brand…
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The Five Rules for a Successful C-store Foodservice Private Label Program
These five tips will help you carefully evaluate the viability of and plan the launch of a private label food program at…
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Channel Strategy and the Bank Brand
As customers feel more commoditized by their financial institutions, they become increasingly indifferent. David Cavell explores how banks can address this…
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Are Smart Banks a Smart Idea?
Despite the trendiness of "smart banking," these innovative concepts are failing to give customers the one thing they really want…
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Predictions for Retail Banking in 2018
Based on current trends in retail banking, we predict the future of the industry in 2018…
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Should Supermarkets Launch their own Foodservice Brand?
We break down the pros and cons to opening a restaurant in your grocery store…
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Preparing Your Bank Transformation RFP
When launching a bank transformation, creating an effective Request For Proposal can get you started on the right foot. Here are six…
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Most Effective Restaurant Design Elements Today
Learn the most important priorities when planning your restaurant's redesign…
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How Banks Can Drive Growth for Small Businesses
With the growth of entrepreneurship and small business ownership, banks have new opportunities to target this key demographic…
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How Banks Should Start Preparing for 2050
Nobody can predict the future, but retail banks and credit unions still have the opportunity to help create it…
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2050: How Foodservice Operators Can Remain Relevant with their Next Generation of Customers
In this white paper, we predict how the foodservice industry will change over the next several decades, and how you can stay…
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Designing a Right-to-Win Brand Position For Your Restaurant
Learn how to develop a focused, unique brand value that is communicated simply, clearly and consistently…
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What Banks Can Learn from the Retail Industry
These practical lessons from the retail industry can help banks leverage customer habits and preferences to create more engaging experiences…
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Banking on Diversity
To embrace diverse immigrant communities, banks need to re-evaluate the branch experience and meet the needs of local newcomers…
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How to Avoid Menu Expansion Misfires
Learn five tips for successfully expanding your restaurant's menu without sacrificing quality or customers…
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Six Cost Saving Tips For Your Next Foodservice Project Roll-out
In this white paper, learn six strategies for preserving your budget when managing multi-unit foodservice project roll-outs…
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Getting the Right Foodservice Transformation Process
In this white paper, you'll learn the six critical steps necessary to successfully navigate the transformative change in the foodservice industry today…
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Overcoming Stealth Attrition in Retail Banking
SLD studied the causes of stealth attrition from retail banks and offers solutions to increase customer loyalty…
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The End Of Dining Out, Long Live Foodservice Dining In
Learn ways your restaurant can leverage opportunities with recent, transformational foodservice industry trends…
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Eight Foodservice Design Trends Influencing Your Customers Today
Learn the eight most important considerations in foodservice design today, and how they're influencing customers' purchasing decisions…
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How to Attract Your Target Customers
Don't miss out on your bank's most valuable customers. Learn to connect with the consumers who will make the biggest difference to…
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Do Your Employees Understand Your Healthcare Brand?
The healthcare industry relies on exceptional expertise and talent while facing many obstacles. Discover six steps to ensure your brand is coherent…
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Six Strategies for Moving into New Foodservice Markets
Market expansion is an effective growth strategy for small food chains. Learn the critical factors you should consider when entering new markets…
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How Banks Can Fill The Financial Literacy Gap
Financial illiteracy is everyone’s problem. Three strategies on how banks can take a leadership role in educating consumers on financial health…
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Are Healthy Food Menu Offerings Viable for the Fast Food Industry?
How can a QSR operator begin to introduce healthy options with success? Learn how foodservice can build trust around offering healthier menu…
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How to Make Your Mergers or Acquisitions a Success Through Brand Implementation
The global trend of mergers and acquisitions has been steadily increasing, the role of brand strategy early on can help make your…
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The Three Tiers of Immersive Customer Experience
Create an emotional connection in the lives of your customers by following these three steps to an immersive customer experience in banking…
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Why Engagement is Critical in Today’s Healthcare Marketplace
Learn how strong brand engagement can give you a competitive edge…
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Moving Beyond Digital Menu Boards to Immersive Experiences
Learn about the latest immersive trends in the foodservice industry, including digital menu boards, geofencing, mobile phone ordering and more…
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How to Succeed in the New Chinese Retail Banking Industry
Update your bricks-and-mortar strategy with more personalized services that meet the expectations of the new Chinese banking consumer…
Read More » A Chief Marketing Officer’s Guide: Corporate Identity Rebranding and Brand Implementation
A corporate identity rebranding must be viewed like a strategic growth accelerator…
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The Move Towards Immersive Banking
Discover five powerful tools for creating an immersive in-branch experience that resonates on a deep emotional level with your customer…
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Successful Healthcare Provider Mergers and Acquisitions
The role of brand strategy throughout all five stages of the M&A framework process address many issues that inevitably occur…
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The Rising Importance of Community in the Bank Branch
Follow these three strategies to convert your branch into a customer relationship building asset by meeting the needs of the community…
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Are Your Patrons Craving a Sense of Belonging?
Find out how chains can transform from conformity across markets to greater community representation by creating a sense of belonging in their…
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Hospital Place Branding
Large general hospitals are the most complex spaces for place branding and wayfinding – but offer the best opportunity for this type…
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The Integration of Neuroscience with Augmented and Virtual Reality
Shikatani Lacroix has successfully proved the feasibility of coupling neuroscience with augmented and virtual reality to derive clean and accurate data…
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Engaging the Mobile Zombie Generation
This report identifies the growing disruptive power of the smartphone in the banking industry, how we are becoming "Mobile Zombies" and how…
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The Future of Millennial Brand Engagement
Millennials will continue to adapt their behaviours to the newest technology, providing a strong platform to test and evaluate new immersive technologies…
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The Future of Interactive Kiosk Design
The growing number and variety of interactive kiosks appearing in retail stores today has challenges of ensuring they effectively engage customers…
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Immersive Experiences – Retailing in the 5th Dimension
Immersive experiences break down the barriers between the physical and virtual worlds and become one…
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How to Create Retail Stickiness through Customer Engagement
The evolution of customer engagement has resulted in the need for retailers to create “stickiness” for their branded experiences…
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Blink Factor in the Digital Retail Sphere
Brands must reach the consumer at all potential digital retail touch points along the path-to-purchase, through a comprehensive digital retail strategy…
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Retail Opportunities: Designing Impulse Purchases
Impulse purchases represent a critical factor in ensuring brands win at retail by increasing their selection odds with the customers…
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Think Desire – Designing Cache
Desire is an elusive emotion that is the true silver bullet for any brand. It is a state of mind that represents…
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Organizational Brand Coherence
Shikatani Lacroix has conducted a study on brand coherence with more than 120 companies worldwide to identify gaps within the brand positioning…
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Re:Store – Redefining Retail
Combat showrooming with these actionable insights on how retailers can redefine their bricks and mortar retail strategies in the age of online…
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