Marketing

Incentivizing Consumers With Rewards-Based Marketing
February 2, 2018 at 9:40 am

There are many ways to reach consumers today on social media, from celebrity endorsements to social media influencers highlighting products in sponsored posts. A newer tactic that's providing high-impact social influence over consumer purchasing decisions is rewards-based marketing. Consumers can often be motivated to share their favorite products with their friends and followers on social…

How to Harness the Power of Infinite Data in 2018
February 1, 2018 at 10:05 am

Data has become one of retailers’ most valuable assets, yet many still struggle to use it in a way that drives true value for their businesses. According to a recent survey of senior-level marketers, 47 percent of respondents think artificial intelligence is overhyped, and another 31 percent say the same about big data. Consumers, however,…

Tips for Using Holiday Data to Drive 2018 Success
January 30, 2018 at 11:30 am

The 2017 holiday season was the strongest in nearly a decade for America’s retailers. From Thanksgiving through Christmas Eve, nearly three-fourths of the selling days showed positive year-over-year growth, with specialty apparel, jewelry and furniture racking up solid performances. This strong performance offers an opportunity for retailers to stay connected to their customers and continue the…

Gen Z and the Transformation of Online Shopping
January 29, 2018 at 9:12 am

The spark of change has begun in the world of online shopping, and Generation Z is at the forefront of the metamorphosis. But who is Generation Z? Gen Z describes a group that's far from underwhelming. Individuals in this category include teens and those in their early 20s, born after the millennial age. Millennials, or…

Gift Cards Are Changing the Shopping Experience
January 26, 2018 at 10:28 am

Gift cards may not be new in the world of retail, but the ways shoppers and retailers are putting them to use is rapidly evolving, according to First Data’s 2017 Prepaid Consumer Insights Study. Customers and retailers alike are finding creative new ways to jump on the “branded currency” wagon. For shoppers, gift cards offer…

A Digital Marketing Plan for 2018
January 24, 2018 at 9:41 am

Every year, we ask, “What are the next big trends in e-commerce marketing?” While there have been some constants in recent years, the list for 2018 is long and diverse. Should you focus on artificial intelligence? What about marketing automation? Is your website optimized for all devices? Are your emails properly segmented, personalized and focused…

6 Tips to Improve Your Retargeting in 2018
January 23, 2018 at 9:32 am

For the first time ever, consumers planned to do more of their holiday shopping online than in-store, according to recent research. Retailers had to be ready! Post-holiday they must understand how to use digital marketing to drive conversions and deepen their connection with customers. One of the most effective tactics for doing so is retargeting.…

21st Century Branding: Is it a Hoax?
January 19, 2018 at 9:13 am

I smirk when anyone tells me that "branding" is the core of any campaign. Branding is to measurement what superstition is to science. You advertise to do one thing: move product — period. That product is sold either online or offline. Online measurement, while not perfect, is evolving. Offline, up until recently, not so much.…

How Experiential Retail is Disrupting an Industry
January 18, 2018 at 11:07 am

The retail industry is undergoing a major transformation as e-commerce disrupts traditional brick-and-mortar store models and gives rise to new modes of “experiential retail.” The experiential retail trend is being driven by a number of factors, including the increasing popularity of e-commerce, the decline in traditional department store traffic, and the proliferation of mobile devices.…