News
Loyalty360’s Mark Johnson on ‘Powerful Ways to Build Brand Loyalty’
Mark Johnson, CEO Of Loyalty360, was featured in a recent article, “21 Powerful Ways To Build Brand Loyalty,” about ways that companies can better engage with customers.
Johnson runs Loyalty360, an association for customer loyalty, which through content, resources, and a robust network of marketers, brings together the best voices that customer loyalty has to offer.
In regard to building brand loyalty, Johnson spoke with Shoppinggives.com about what brands can do to ensure proper customer engagement that is long lasting and fruitful to both the consumer and the brand.
“The most important things brands can do, and although it is trite, is to create simplicity in their engagement, focus on those who are already advocates and listen to them in a proactive manner, and when listening make sure you are proactively responding to them,” Johnson says. “If you cannot action what they are asking for, make sure you let the know that you cannot and why you cannot, never waste an opportunity to create reciprocity, and in this time enhance the personal and empathetic connections.”
Read the article here
Grocery Stores Might Be the Next Big Thing to Move into Malls
According to CNBC, grocery stores might be the next addition to shopping malls. The largest mall owner in the U.S., Simon Property Group, hinted at this idea in a Monday evening earnings call, which comes after a report that Amazon might open warehouses in closed Sears and J.C. Penney locations.
“We understand that Amazon is reportedly looking for grocery deals in the Boston market, and grocery offerings at A-rated malls, similar to Europe and Asia, would provide essential retail use and boost shopper traffic, in our opinion,” says Floris van Dijkum, a Compass Point real estate analyst in a note to clients.
Adobe CEO Says Offices Provide Some Boost to Productivity that Remote Work Lacks
In an interview with Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen, CNBC reports that Narayen thinks there are benefits to being in an office that work-from-home cannot necessarily give to workers.
“Projects which are well underway, we’ve seen tremendous momentum continue, but when you’re trying to create a new project, you want people around that water cooler. You want that sense of urgency,” says Narayen. “I feel like productivity is impacted a little bit in that.”
Stein Mart, Inc. Voluntarily Files Chapter 11 Bankruptcy
Stein Mart announced it filed for voluntary petitions for relief under Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The department store brand will close most or all of its brick-and-mortar stores, and the company launched a store closing and liquidation process.
“The combined effects of a challenging retail environment coupled with the impact of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic have caused significant financial distress on our business,” says Hunt Hawkins, chief executive officer of Stein Mart, “The company has determined that the best strategy to maximize value will be a liquidation of its assets pursuant to an organized going out of business sale. The company lacks sufficient liquidity to continue operating in the ordinary course of business. I would like to thank all of our employees for their dedication and support.”
Technology
Walmart Tests Same-Day Delivery with Instacart
Engadget reports Walmart and Instacart have partnered to offer same-day delivery in Los Angeles, San Francisco, San Diego and Tulsa, Oklahoma.
“The new partnership brings thousands of items — from groceries, alcohol and pantry staples to home decor and improvement, personal care, electronics and more — at everyday low prices from Walmart stores to customers’ doors in as fast as an hour,” says an Instacart spokesperson.
Alimentation Couche-Tard to Pilot Autonomous Checkout Technology
Alimentation Couche-Tard is testing contactless checkout at its convenience stores, says a Convenience Store News report. It will put artificial intelligence technology into a Phoenix Circle K location that lets customers walk in, shop and walk out without having to scan items or wait in line to pay.
"Autonomous checkout is one of our innovation priorities that enable us to make our customers' lives a little easier every day,” says Magnus Tägtström, head of global digital innovation at Alimentation Couche-Tard. “We thoroughly evaluated the market and realized that working with Standard presented significant benefits since they could integrate with our existing systems and retrofit our existing stores."