Loyalty360 Reads: May 1, 2019

Customer Experience
 
Domino’s Takes Cue from Uber with GPS Tracking of Pizza
Domino’s is testing a pilot program that enables customers to track the location of their orders using GPS, just like you can see an Uber or Lyft driver approaching. Domino’s has other CX innovations on the horizon, too: “As third-party delivery growth soars, tech-centric Domino’s has moved swiftly to add more innovative solutions for pizza delivery. In late March, the company said it would be adding in-car pizza-ordering capability via car dashboards through a partnership with auto technology company Xevo Inc.”
 
US Homeownership Rate Declines
The US homeownership rate had been growing (for the first time in a decade) since early 2017, but that rate has begun to drop. “The homeownership rate fell to 64.2 percent in the first quarter from 64.8 percent in the fourth quarter, according to US Census Bureau figures released Thursday—a notable drop for a number that barely moves from one quarter to the next.”
 
Daimler to Pull Smart Mini-Cars from U.S. and Canada
The Smart brand is pulling Smart mini-cars from the North American market. “Daimler’s Mercedes-Benz brand, in a statement, cited ‘a number of factors’ for the decision to end Smart’s run in the United States and Canada, ‘including a declining micro-car market in the U.S. and Canada, combined with high homologation costs for a low volume model.’ Homologation refers to the changes required to bring the European-designed Smart in line with U.S. regulations.” Daimler has larger electric vehicles in the works.
 
Restaurant Brands International Sees Shares Fall After Earnings Miss
Shares of Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Horton’s parent company are down. “Burger King and Popeyes reported same-store sales growth that beat estimates, but Tim Hortons came up short. Popeyes reported same-store sales growth of 0.6 percent, beating estimates of 0.1 percent. The fried chicken chain’s delivery helped boost sales this quarter.” The takeaway here is that brands that are offering new experience and leveraging new mobile optimization are the ones retaining customers.
 
Social
 
Instagram Tests Hidden Like-Count
In Canada, Instagram is testing a feature that enables users to conceal how many likes a photo or video has. “Instagram says it wants followers to ‘focus on the photos and videos you share, not how many likes they get.’ Only the person who owns the account will be able to see how many likes their content received.”
 

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