Hilton Grand Vacations Sponsors Red Cross Extended Giving Day Fundraiser
Hilton Grand Vacations Inc. (HGV) recently sponsored the American Red Cross during its annual Giving Day fundraiser, which took place on March 27. In celebration of Red Cross Month, HGV committed to matching all donations to the Red Cross, up to $50,000, to support disaster relief, making a tangible impact on the lives of those affected by disasters and ensuring that vital resources like shelter and food are provided to individuals and families in need.
Hilton Grand Vacations CEO Mark Wang said, “We’re proud to strengthen our partnership with the American Red Cross to support communities across the nation. Recent natural disasters — like the hurricanes in the southeast and fires in Southern California — have devastated families and neighborhoods. In times like these, we remain committed to providing relief by supporting the vital work of the Red Cross.”
The Extended Giving Day campaign is an integral part of the Red Cross’s ongoing work to assist communities facing the aftermath of natural disasters. As the organization responds to a disaster roughly every 15 days, the increased frequency and intensity of recent events have made their efforts even more critical. Hilton Grand Vacations has been a constant supporter of the American Red Cross through its corporate social responsibility program, HGV Serves. In addition to disaster relief, HGV Serves also works to combat homelessness, support military families, and foster youth development.
Learn more about HGV Serves here: https://corporate.hgv.com/corporate-social-responsibility/hgv-serves/default.aspx
Jamba Unveils New “Hello Sunshine” Store Prototype to Enhance the Customer Experience
Jamba recently announced a next-generation store design prototype called “Hello Sunshine.” The new prototype reflects the brand’s energetic and inviting essence and focuses on improving the customer experience by incorporating modern features such as self-order kiosks, intuitive store layouts, and digital marketing screens. It also provides financial benefits and cost efficiencies for franchisees, helping to drive innovation and growth across the brand.
Jamba Chief Brand Officer Nathan Louer said, “Our valued franchisees are the cornerstone of Jamba’s enduring success. With the introduction of the ‘Hello Sunshine’ prototype, we are not just investing in the future of our brand and our franchisees, but also in the experience of every guest who walks through our doors. We want ‘Hello Sunshine’ to shine through in how we treat our guests, the products we serve, and the spaces they walk into. This innovative design enhances the customer experience while driving operational and cost efficiencies. We are committed to providing our franchisees with the resources and incentives they need to thrive, ensuring the continued growth and revitalization of our iconic brand.”
The refreshed “Hello Sunshine” branding is prominently featured throughout the new store design, with signature orange colors and welcoming elements that reinforce the brand’s sunny, vibrant image. The store layout has been strategically designed to streamline the customer journey. With clearly marked grab-and-go sections and dedicated pickup zones for digital orders, the new prototype minimizes wait times and maximizes convenience. Additionally, thoughtfully placed “pause points” within the store encourage customers to interact with products and brand messaging, driving increased sales.
Amazon Introduces New AI Feature “Interests” to Enhance Product Discovery
Amazon recently unveiled its new AI-driven “Interests” feature to simplify how customers discover new products aligned with their hobbies and passions. The new system works behind the scenes, scanning Amazon’s extensive inventory to find products that match users’ specific preferences. Whether you’re a photography enthusiast, a dedicated golfer, or a music lover, Interests proactively tracks new product releases and updates, ensuring you’re always in the loop.
The functionality of Interests is user-friendly and customizable. Users can set up personalized prompts that define what they’re looking for, using natural language to describe their interests. For instance, you can request “new baseball gear” or search for “wall art for a bedroom.” Once the prompts are set, Interests uses large language models to interpret these requests and filter through Amazon’s inventory to deliver timely product recommendations. The system even sends notifications for new items, restocks, or deals, making it a convenient tool for those with niche or evolving shopping needs.
Currently available to a select group of U.S. customers, the feature is expected to roll out more widely over the next few months. To use Interests, customers simply need to tap the “Me” tab in the Amazon Shopping app and start creating their prompts. The AI works continuously to find new products that meet these criteria, ensuring a tailored shopping experience.
Watch this YouTube video to get a look at the new Interests feature: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SH_lb9EsE8