Branding

Home Depot Gives Back
June 6, 2016 at 5:09 pm

In today’s highly competitive environment, it's exceedingly difficult for retailers to differentiate themselves enough to win one trip from shoppers, let alone earn their long-term loyalty. Successful retailers have aimed their focus at consumers, finding unique ways to not only deliver incentives to bring them to the store, but also to interact and build relationships…

Apple Omits Same-Sex Couple From International Versions of Mother's Day Ad
June 2, 2016 at 10:21 am

Historically, Apple hasn't been shy about its inclusivity and support of LGBT rights. Most recently, on Mother's Day, it debuted an ad featuring a same-sex couple. But the company has come under fire recently for being selective about where it's preaching support for gay rights. The Guardian and 9to5 Mac recently reported that new cuts…

H2O+ Beauty Rebrands With Renewed Focus on Digital
May 31, 2016 at 11:25 am

In episode 37 of Total Retail Talks, I interview Joy Chen, CEO of skincare brand H2O+ Beauty. Last year, H2O+ Beauty announced a brand relaunch, shifting the focus of its business from manufacturing to innovation and e-commerce; launching new product lines; introducing new channels of digital communication for its customers; and amplifying H2O+ Beauty's brand…

Luxury Slowdown Aside, a Longer-Term Threat Lurks for Tiffany
May 27, 2016 at 10:00 am

A global luxury slowdown isn't the only thing eating away at Tiffany's revenues — and it's this less-talked-about threat that could have longer-lasting effects on the brand's revenues. As the luxury jewelry maker on Wednesday reported another quarterly sales dip, analysts questioned whether its struggles in the U.S. were not only the result of fewer international…

Say Goodbye to Those Insanely Long Receipts at CVS
May 24, 2016 at 10:41 am

Millions of Americans have experienced the following at a CVS: You buy one pack of gum, and the register ends up printing out a two-foot-long receipt filled with coupons. Don’t worry though: Parent company CVS Health is finally in on the joke. Helena Foulkes, president of CVS/pharmacy, confirmed on ABC’s "Jimmy Kimmel Live" that the retailer…

Top Retail Trends of 2016
May 24, 2016 at 9:51 am

I recently received a really interesting whitepaper titled "The Top 10 Retail Trends For 2016" from Synchrony Financial that included a list of the top 10 technology, marketing and consumer trends that Synchrony predicts will have an impact on retail sales in 2016. Here are five of the key trends highlighted. Are any of them affecting…

Upskirt Ad From Calvin Klein Offends
May 12, 2016 at 11:01 am

Is Calvin Klein the new American Apparel? It’s the first thought that entered my mind when I saw this “upskirt” Calvin Klein clothing ad with the text “I flash in #mycalvins.” I cropped the image, but The Daily Mail shows the full ad that spawned a negative consumer reaction on social media. And yes, I know…

Why Specialized Domain Names Could Be Your Secret Weapon for Boosting Sales
May 9, 2016 at 1:00 pm

Retailers were skeptical about whether the internet had sticking power in its early days. Sales meant brick-and-mortar stores, print advertisements and TV spots for those with the cash. The birth of e-commerce threw that world into turmoil. Today’s omnichannel retailers need a universal call to action that embraces every customer touchpoint. A meaningful, memorable domain…