Programs
Bloomingdale’s Launches “My List” Subscription Rental Service
The retailer has become the latest to embrace premium loyalty, opting for a try-before-you-buy subscription service called “My List,” which “will debut with a fall ‘ready-to-wear’ assortment of hundreds of women’s styles from more than 60 brands and more than 100 exclusive pieces, according to Women’s Wear Daily. Shoppers are offered a referral incentive of $25 for every new member who joins.”
Partnerships
Spirit Airlines Enlists LivePerson
The airline has partnered with LivePerson to improve the messaging aspect of its customer experience. “Spirit will be using a mix of artificial intelligence and live human agents to handle customer requests, powered by LivePerson technology.”
Customer Experience
The Chicken Wars
Major QSR brands have been humorously debating which one offers the best chicken sandwich. After an exchange between Popeye’s and Chick-fil-A, Wendy’s tweeted “Y’all out here fighting about which of these fools has the second-best chicken sandwich.”
Anheuser-Busch Releases Hard Seltzer
The alcohol company is embracing the trend and is launching Natty Light Seltzer. “There’s no question that hard seltzer is having a moment. Sales of White Claw, the category leader, grew 283 percent to $327.7 million in July compared to the same period last year. The drink has inspired a YouTube parody video, as well as a number of memes and trend pieces.”
Kroger to Test Digital Photo Printing Kiosks
To engage consumers, the grocery retailer is placing Print Mates photo printing kiosks in its stores. “Print Mates’ touchscreen kiosks allow customers to instantly print photos directly from their smartphones or social media and cloud storage accounts. They can also order other photo products, décor, and gifts ranging from fridge magnets, frames, and posters to jumbo-sized prints, canvases, and wood prints. All products are shipped to their home in as little as one day.”