Branding

A perfect storm of demographics, economics and technology is taking direct aim at the retail industry. Demographically, millennials have become the largest consumer group. And this group has expectations and habits that retailers must accommodate. Along with this demographic change, the physical economy of retail is quickly shifting. Clearly, the brick-and-mortar store isn't dead. In fact, McKinsey…

Retailers have a new generation to market to, and it’s more important than ever to respond to their wants and needs. Generation Z is unlike any cohort we’ve seen in the past, which presents a challenge to retailers and brands that are looking to target and engage with Gen Z shoppers. While there are a…

As increasing returns inspire U.S. companies to spend over $2 billion a year on loyalty programs, competition to keep members engaged

Traditional retailers are struggling. In the spring of 2016 alone, we saw Sports Authority declare bankruptcy, Aeropostale lose 93 percent of its share price before declaring insolvency, and sales at Kohl's drop. Even as recently as August 11, Macy’s announced it will close another 100 stores. There's little doubt that competition from online retailers has…

After a roller coaster of a week last week, Amazon.com is providing some clarification on "brand-gating" and what it means for merchants. As a quick refresh, Amazon implemented new rules last week requiring merchants to supply dozens of invoices and pay up to a $1,500 fee to sell certain popular (and frequently counterfeited) brands, such…

Abercrombie & Fitch Co. announced that it will be closing 60 stores in the U.S. after reporting a wider loss for its second quarter. This represents about an 8 percent closure of its store count in the domestic market. Abercrombie reported that sales have been hurt by a decline of tourists to its flagship cities.…

It's called Apple, not the Apple Store. The Cupertino, California company has decreed that its chain of retail stores will now only be referred to thusly in what seems to be part of an ongoing attempt to rebrand its stores from shopping destinations to community gathering places. Apple's new flagship store in downtown San Francisco…

Building and maintaining brand loyalty in the digital world isn't easy, especially when prices and product comparisons are no further than a click away. While the days when reward programs were enough to build a loyal following may be long gone, brand loyalty is still alive and well — and tech-savvy marketers are adapting to…

Whole Foods Market may be full of healthy stuff, but it can't trademark "world's healthiest." The U.S. Patent and Trademark Office rejected Whole Foods’ bid for a trademark on "World's Healthiest Grocery Store," calling it "merely descriptive." That's the same reason the office used years ago in rejecting a previous application by Whole Foods for "America's…

Nike co-founder Phil Knight has officially stepped down from his position as chairman of the board.