MARKETING BLOGS

I’ve found out the hard way that what shoppers say and do are usually two different things. Countless intercept interviews, focus groups and qualitative surveys have lead me down the garden path, but not along the true path to purchase. As a result I have become a quasi-empiricist as precious behavioural research is expensive, time consuming and hard to find. read more

Apart from the new international retail and clothing brands entering South Africa, such as, Spanish retailer Zara (opened earlier this year in Johannesburg) and Gap (opened two independent stores in March this year), consumers are being introduced to new store layouts designed to create a more exciting in-store experience and respond to consumer shopping habits, particularly in sports and lifestyle retail. read more

I work in one city and live in another. I rent a car nearly every week and usually opt for the two lowest classes, either a 1.3 or 1.4-litre engine choosing air-conditioning for a little extra in the summer months. Last week I had a pleasant surprise. read more

Private labels are taking on a new role in retail, positioning themselves as higher quality products on supermarket shelves, rather than the “low quality’ option they were initially perceived to be.  read more

The exercise of setting up a temporary store and trading for a short period of time is not new (look at the many boerewors stands that pop-up at sporting events), but what is becoming a more accepted practice is to set up a temporary store, or a pop-up store in a shopping centre. read more

Whether launching a new FMCG brand or rejuvenating an existing one, in-store promotion is essential for grabbing a consumer’s interest, ahead of the clutter and many other brands in-store, all competing for the same attention. read more

The arrival of the Internet and all things digital has raised many debates about the future of traditional print media. SA’s biggest retailers would face a predicament if print media falls away in favour of its digital counterparts, since they make use of broadsheet price promotions as their staple print advertising diet.  read more

To what extent should packaging design be 'on-trend'? Other areas of design, such as fashion, interior and industrial design are known for their cutting edge adherence to new trends and directions. As designers, it is our responsibility to guide clients on the best way to keep products relevant and future-focused, while still creating work that is still solid and timeless in its execution. While nothing lasts forever, it's important to note that due to the costs involved with large-scale printing and packing, designers and brand managers need to ensure that they remain true to their product intrinsics and avoid following trends that may disappear after one or two seasons. read more

Can social media result in direct sales for a retail brand?  read more

Regulation in packaging design – it’s the buzzword of the moment, both locally (where we collectively face a March 2012 deadline) as well internationally. read more

Sustainability is no longer a project undertaken by a small team within a company, it has become an integral part of doing good business. The results are measurable and executives are held to account, not just by shareholders or regulators but also by consumers. Sustainability is not just about minimizing the negative impact of a business but also about actively striving to make a positive impact on the environment and on the lives of those associated with the company.  read more