Category: *Thought Leadership
2020 Bestsellers
December 27, 2020
Which products sold well in 2020? Pants? No way. High heels? So silly. Baby Yoda tree toppers? Now you’re talkin’! According to 2020’s in-demand products, the pandemic transformed us into a mash-up of Molly Maid, Martha Stewart and RuPaul. That’s because top categories included: – Cleaning products – Baking – Domestic comfort – Beauty – Personal care Electronics […]
2020 Retail Trends
July 27, 2020
According to Stats Canada, Canadians caused a 99% surge in online purchases between February and May, As e-commerce booms, here are some ways traditional sales seasons and retail strategies could change this year. Key success factors include: PROCESS IMPROVEMENTS:Prompt, reliable delivery and in-stock merchandise could make consumers more forgiving and loyal. (Advantage: Amazon) PHYSICAL STORES:BOPIS […]
Amazon’s Path to Post-Pandemic Prosperity
June 28, 2020
This infographic’s alternative title could easily be Why Jeff Bezos Will be a Trillionaire Soon. Last week, Amazon went on a shopping spree to secure its retail tech supremacy and customer-centric continuous improvement to position the company to thrive now and after COVID-19. These investments show Amazon’s priorities range from delivering short-term consumer benefits to […]
Pandemic Bestsellers
June 21, 2020
Shopping habits shift: As we all know, panic in March led to out-of-stocks for items like flour, yeast and toilet paper as frenzied consumers prepared for the pandemic. Fortunately, consumers buying habits have since evolved, and diversified beyond grocery and pharmacy staples. This infographic shares some notable findings from recent consumption reports. A few trends […]
E-Commerce Gets Spicy!
June 15, 2020
Today’s announcement of Walmart’s strategic partnership with e-commerce superstar Shopify is shaking up online shopping. Yet Shopify also recently made headlines for its collaboration with the launch of Facebook Shops, a social commerce platform that merges social media and shopping. WHY NOW? Now is the *perfect* time for these alliances because: Many consumers remain homebound […]
E-Grocery Success Factors
June 14, 2020
Consumers crave convenience: 2020 is boom time for grocery retailers with robust e-commerce infrastructures. That’s because COVID-19 has shaped how we shop: 3 billion global consumers were homebound, and many restaurants closed, sparking a surge in home cooking (World Economic Forum) $2.5 trillion, representing 35% of global food expenditures, is now up for grabs as […]
2020 Retail PEST Analysis
June 7, 2020
What keeps CEOs up at night: Coronavirus impact, global recession, and mass protests and movements for starters. As this PEST analysis shows, retail executives and their teams need to juggle a variety of complex market factors as they revise their 2020 strategies to navigate new risks. UPDATED Jan. 2021: 2021 Retail PEST Analysis Overarching themes […]
How COVID-19 Changed the Face of Global Retail
May 31, 2020
COVID-19 has changed the face of retail. This year’s pandemic has affected retail companies across channels and around the world. This infographic shows how global retailers – including Amazon, Sephora, Lululemon, Tesco, and Alibaba – are adapting to consumer needs and coronavirus complexities. Overall themes include: 1. PROTECTION: Keeping consumers and workers safe remains paramount. […]
2020 Retail Rumble
May 26, 2020
Forget crowdless UFC matches – 2020’s biggest rumble is taking place between retail giants Amazon and Walmart. Their arena is today’s unrelenting market complexity, including economic and technological upheaval amid the coronavirus crisis. In this third and final piece in a series, we compare Walmart and Amazon’s enduring and pandemic-specific strategies to spot market opportunities […]
Is Walmart winning?
May 19, 2020
2020 SWOT analysis: Is Walmart winning? The world’s biggest retailer has shown surprising agility to serve consumers during the coronavirus crisis. The retailer boasts thousands of stores, robust e-grocery and enticing everyday low prices. Also, it’s not humanly possible to leave a Walmart store without spending at least $100. Is that enough to win in […]
Is Amazon Pandemic-Proof?
May 10, 2020
Most retail companies are burning their 2020 business strategies. The coronavirus crisis has: – Left many independent retailers and brands insolvent– Prompted department store Neiman Marcus to file for bankruptcy last week – Shuttered storefronts and, earlier this year, Walgreens, Forever 21 and Sears had already closed several stores By contrast, Amazon is booming. Jeff […]
The New Skill Set
May 8, 2020
What Businesses Want (in a Pandemic)… Today’s devastating news that the U.S. jobless rate hit its highest level since the Great Depression (and Canada hit its second-highest level) proves how profoundly and swiftly COVID-19 has hurt businesses and talent. As more people compete for jobs, global research suggests corporate demand for specific skills cuts across […]
Pandemic Power Play
May 4, 2020
By investing $4 billion of operating profit into its COVID-19 plan, Amazon is setting itself up for spectacular success that will last far beyond the current coronavirus crisis. The funds will simultaneously improve internal weaknesses and counter external threats to address issues with consumers, critics and competitors. What do you think of Amazon’s approach? Related […]
Pandemic-Driven Pivots
April 28, 2020
Creativity conquers chaos: This year, agile companies have shown profound resilience by reinventing themselves in response to the coronavirus pandemic. From beer to fitness, many industries are filling consumption gaps with relevant solutions, including essential goods and technology. What other examples of responsiveness have you seen?
5 Steps to Make Your Communications Strategic
April 20, 2020
The coronavirus crisis has forced companies to adapt to new global market realities. Now marketing, communications and sales teams have an urgent opportunity to support their C-suites. They can collaborate to ensure their approach to messaging aligns with corporate goals to help their company survive this crisis and reduce risk. This framework can help your […]
9 Tech Trends Taking Off Due to Coronavirus
April 13, 2020
Digital Renaissance: We’re in the midst of a massive, global shift toward the digital realm. Over the past two months, the coronavirus pandemic has sparked soaring demand for technology. The accelerated adoption of these innovations reflect 3 major trends: 1. PERVASIVE CHANGE Technology investments are revolutionizing the retail, healthcare, education, automotive, finance and fitness industries, […]
Amazon is Perfectly Positioned for a Pandemic
April 7, 2020
It’s Amazon’s time: The coronavirus crisis is Amazon’s opportunity. The e-commerce giant is brilliantly positioned for this moment. Key trends driving Amazon’s dominance right now: 1. GREATER CONTROL Vertical integration has given Amazon greater control of its supply chain processes, efficiencies and profitability. 2. DESIRABLE BENEFITS More consumers (and businesses) are turning to Amazon for […]
Coronavirus Fuels Hiring in These 6 Sectors
April 6, 2020
Recession-proof sectors: Although we’re all affected by profound changes due to the global coronavirus pandemic, certain industries are booming right now. Among the most resilient sectors, 3 trends stand out: 1. BASICS: Essential goods and services are most in demand. 2. ONLINE: More consumption and work are going digital. 3. CONNECTION: Isolated in our silos, […]
B2B Marketing for Lead Generation
October 1, 2019
Content marketing trends to include in your 2019 and 2020 marketing strategies to sell to B2B buyers.
B2B Strategic Communications Plan
September 4, 2019
Match your message to your big picture.