Branding
New Sears Logo Looks a Bit Like Air Bnb’s
In order to refresh its image, Sears has unveiled a new logo. Some have reacted positively, while others have noted that the logo looks quite similar to that of Air Bnb. “The move is the latest step in the company’s larger effort to revive its business after years of slumping sales. In October 2018, the company filed for bankruptcy. In February, a judge approved its purchase by a hedge fund operated by Eddie Lampert, the company’s chairman and former CEO, for $5.2 billion. Lampert said the deal would help save 425 Sears and Kmart stores and roughly 45,000 jobs.”
Programs
QSRs Notch Mobile Ordering, Loyalty Gains In 2019
QSRs are growing, and loyalty programs continue to play a significant role in that growth. “It’s getting harder to exaggerate the value of loyalty to QSR operations with each passing month, at least according to the PYMNTS Mobile Order-Ahead Tracker. Chipotle, a chain that has some 14,000 mobile app downloads each day, is a good example of that. The Mexican-themed food chain is working to improve its loyalty program efforts. Chipotle rolled out its rewards program in mid-March. Diners receive 10 points for every dollar they spend and earn a free entrée when they accrue 1,250 points. On a recent earnings call, Chipotle Mexican Grill CEO Brian Niccol noted that guests have been asking for a rewards program for a long time. He also pointed out that the chain’s digital system—including order-ahead, among other capabilities—‘is creating a more convenient and enjoyable guest experience.’”
Customer Experience
Considering B2B Experiences
Increasingly B2B customers are expecting personalized, human interactions. “As the battle for attention and loyalty intensifies, marketing, sales, and services will need to work in parallel and operate seamlessly to reimagine interactions and deliver on a differentiated human experience. To do this, CMOs must develop new capabilities and leverage data to target, craft, and deliver not only messaging, but also orchestrate moments that matter.”
A Design Firm Is Steering Target, Ulta, and Best Buy to a ‘Harmonic’ Model
We’re seeing a fledging trend in retail, in which physical stores play a supporting role for brands. “Harmonic retail flips the traditional retail model, which starts in the store and with e-commerce cobbled onto it. The new model is grounded on e-commerce and the retailers’ digital presence. All other brand touchpoints support the customer regardless of how they choose to engage, like the brick-and-mortar store, mobile apps, email, social media, print advertising, and others.”
Tech
Ford Employs Robot
“Survival,” a delivery robot, is being put to work at Ford’s manufacturing plant in Valencia, Spain. “The self-driving robot uses lidar (light detection and ranging) technology to visualize its surroundings and deliver spare parts to where they’re needed in the facility. It was manufactured by Ford engineers and is the first of its kind to be used at one of the company’s European plants.”