Retail
Yahoo eCommerce Embraces Cash-Back Rewards
After recently launching its shopping platform, powered by Rakuten, Yahoo has added cash-back rewards. The rewards will be available for about 50 online retailers in the portal. Yahoo email users also will see alerts in their inboxes intended to push them toward specific high-value promotions. Additionally, Yahoo email users now have a tool within their mail app that allows them a dedicated “deals” view that filters all coupons users receive and notifies them of the most valuable offers before they expire, according to an announcement. The deals view features a bar that shows users their cash back balance and which retailers are available for the program.
Restaurants
Taco Bell has developed a meat substitute that looks and tastes like ground beef
Taco Bell has developed two meatless menu items for international consumers, including a Crunchy Taco filled with “meat” made of pulled oats and legumes. The meatless plant-based ingredient, which looks and tastes like ground beef, is seasoned with Taco Bell’s proprietary spices. The taco is topped with shredded lettuce, cheese and creamy chipotle sauce. Recently, the so-called Oatrageous Taco became a permanent item in Spain after first testing in Finland. It will be on European menus in summer 2020.
IHOP is opening a fast casual restaurant called ‘Flip’d’
IHOP is trying something a little different — a new restaurant concept called Flip’d by IHOP. The menu will include several IHOP-inspired items, like pancake bowls, egg sandwiches, breakfast burritos, crispy chicken sandwiches, to-go salads and more. But unlike IHOP meals, Flip’d offerings can be eaten on the go. Also, unlike IHOP restaurants, Flip’d locations have limited seating. IHOP’s first fast casual concept is the brand's attempt to break open the fast casual breakfast category. It's also a way for IHOP to reach customers in urban areas, where it still has room to grow.
Chipotle giving away free burritos with ‘Holiday Extravaganza’ Instagram posts
Chipotle will be giving free burrito codes on Instagram at a random time each day through Friday. The first 500 people to text the code to 888-222 will “be gifted one free entrée.” “Like the magic of the season, it’ll be gone before you know it,” Chipotle said in a statement. “Chipotle will remove each Holiday Extravaganza post once all the codes have been claimed, so make sure you’re following Chipotle to be the first to unwrap this tasty stocking stuffer.” The codes are valid only for digital orders from participating Chipotle restaurants in the U.S. There is a limit of one code per mobile number, and the codes expire Dec. 31.
Innovation
Vizio Launches Ad Business As Ad-Supported Streaming Takes Off
Vizio became the latest smart TV manufacturer to enter the advertising market, when it recently launched an ad sales business that will take advantage of the 13 million smart TVs it has in American homes. “It’s no secret that the connected TV space has been growing significantly,” said Mike O’Donnell, SVP of Vizio’s platform business. “We’re taking the opportunity to dive into the business.” Vizio will sell both display ads on its home screen and search page as well as video ads within its WatchFree AVOD channel, the fifth most-watched app on its platform, powered by content from Pluto TV.