Promotional Strategy

Why May is the New Black Friday
May 12, 2022 at 3:14 pm

When we think about big revenue-generating opportunities on the calendar, we typically focus on November and December, particularly Black Friday. But sales on Black Friday last year — both in-store and online — dropped below pre-pandemic levels. Heading in the opposite direction is May, which is quickly becoming one of the most important revenue-generating moments of the…

The Fight Against Inflation: Encouraging Consumer Spending in a Strained Economy
May 4, 2022 at 4:26 pm

Consumers and retailers are facing an unprecedented challenge with rising inflation rates. February saw an inflation rate of 7.9 percent, an entire seven percentage points higher than the same month last year — and the surge is showing no sign of slowing down as we enter the spring season. Goods are more expensive, and the…

The Real Deal About Black Friday and Cyber Monday
November 10, 2021 at 9:41 am

The past two years have brought with them many retail changes. One glance at an empty store shelf reveals how inventory and supply chain hiccups have become an ongoing issue since the start of the pandemic. Retailers all over the U.S. now manage shopper expectations with phrases such as “Now’s the time to be thinking…

Applying Learnings From Back-to-School Season to Attract In-Store Holiday Shoppers
November 4, 2021 at 3:52 pm

Back-to-school season has come to a close as parents successfully planned for the first return to school in nearly two years. Marketers who found success undoubtedly had a plan in place to take advantage of the surge, helping them pull share of wallet. With the pandemic-driven boon to e-commerce and our more recent hope for…

Forecasts Point to a Strong Holiday Season, But Shopper Behavior Will Be Anything But Typical
October 28, 2021 at 3:33 pm

Retailers and brands are expecting strong consumer demand this holiday season, with major forecasts predicting a 7 percent to 9 percent increase in sales. Even with prices continuing to rise due to higher materials, labor, shipping and marketing costs, consumers seem unfazed and set to celebrate and spend. However, shoppers’ shifting behaviors and ongoing supply…

Target Kicks Off Early Holiday Deals With Price-Matching Pledge
October 4, 2021 at 8:30 pm

Target announced last week that from Oct. 10 through Dec. 24, shoppers will be able to request a price adjustment on any item purchased at Target if the company drops the price later in the season. Target said it will continue to match select competitors’ pricing within 14 days of a customer’s purchase, as it…

Why E-Commerce is Edging Out the Concept of Seasonal Shopping Holidays
September 15, 2021 at 8:02 pm

With COVID-19 at its peak last year, it seemed inevitable that retailers would close their stores on Thanksgiving to minimize Black Friday crowds. The reality is, with Best Buy and other major retailers like Walmart and Target closing their stores on Thanksgiving Day yet again, holiday shopping seasons are changing more permanently. So what are…

How CPG Brands Can Use Data to Execute Effective Promotions
June 28, 2021 at 8:01 pm

The concept of promotions dates back a few centuries where businesses of all kinds printed messages on various items in order to generate consumer awareness for their goods, products or services. Consumer packaged goods (CPG) brands popularized the concept in the 1950s with the help of the earliest ad agencies on Madison Avenue in New…

B-to-B, Promotions Offer Growth Opportunities for Merchants' Gift Card Programs
June 16, 2021 at 1:31 pm

Gift cards continue to remain immensely popular with consumers. In fact, demand for digital gift cards spiked during the pandemic, as consumers sought out convenient, easy and safe ways to share gifts with their friends and families, even if they weren't getting together in person. This trend isn't expected to end with the pandemic, as…