Marketing: Direct & Personalization

Articles on CRM, Loyalty and Personalization.

  1. Technology & Innovation
Hightouch, a composable CDP and AI decisioning platform, has raised an $80 million Series C investment round at a valuation of $1.2 billion. This was led by Sapphire Ventures, with participation from NVC, Amplify Ventures, ICONIQ Growth, and Bain Capital Ventures. Sapphire Ventures Partner Rajeev Dham will join the Hightouch board. The investment will help […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
For years, martech was divided into systems of record and systems of engagement. Systems of record stored the “master” versions of data. CRMs and CDPs for customer data. PIM for product data. DAM for brand assets. ERP for inventory data. (I know, there’s a ton of acronyms in this piece, almost to the point of […]
  1. Channel: Convenience
  Wawa’s $5 Big Breakfast Deal Redefines Value, Speed & Convenience Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions® knows a winning foodservice formula when he sees one, and Wawa’s latest move is set to shake up the breakfast game. From February 17 through March 24, Wawa is rolling out its unbeatable $5 […]
  1. Channel: Dollar/Value
  In the competitive food industry, Lidl and Aldi have emerged as formidable players, leveraging innovative strategies to capture market share from traditional grocery retailers. These German discount chains have attracted consumers by emphasizing time savings, fresh food offerings, product discovery, and mix-and-match bundling, all while rapidly expanding their store footprints. Time Savings Aldi and […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  Digital hand-held technology, specifically smartphones, has driven a decline in traditional network TV viewing, reshaping how and where consumers eat, according to Steven Johnson, Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer behavior evolves, the perceived value of a product or brand can shift. The team at Foodservice Solutions® understands that consumers are […]
  1. Data & Insights
  In today’s dynamic food retail landscape, relevance drives trial and adoption according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. As consumer preferences evolve, food retailers must continually seek the “new electricity” to propel their brand forward. But what exactly is this new electricity? According to industry expert Johnson, “Brand relevance […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
As we leap into 2025, the name of the game for marketers is customer acquisition strategies that truly stick. And while digital tactics have their moment, there’s one trusty powerhouse that’s primed to deliver big results: direct mail. It’s the personal touch your audience is always looking for and it’s ready to take your marketing […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
Grocery shopping is having a full-circle moment. In the industry’s earliest days, consumers would spend hours visiting the local butcher, baker, greengrocer, and more. Each store provided a specific slice of shoppers’ grocery lists and often offered home delivery. Fast-forward to the early 1900s and the advent of the supermarket, when industrialization came into play. […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
  What do consumers think a Grocerant is? According to Steven Johnson, the Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA-based Foodservice Solutions®, the man who coined the term “Grocerant,” it is “any retail food item that is fresh prepared Ready-2-Eat or Heat-N-Eat.” Traditionally, these items have been found in grocery store service delis, convenience store prepared food […]
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
  Amazon’s ambitious foray into food—spanning convenience stores, ultra-fast delivery, no-checkout technology, and Amazon Fresh grocery stores—may now be quietly winding down according to Steven Johnson Grocerant Guru® at Tacoma, WA based Foodservice Solutions®. Industry speculation suggests Amazon may consolidate its food efforts under the Whole Foods brand, with a potential spinoff looming on the […]
  1. Data & Insights
Source: Unlisted (EZ Newswire) Palo Alto, CA — In today’s housing market, where inventory is low and competition is high, buyers often find themselves frustrated with the lack of options. At any given moment, only about 5% of homes in the U.S. are actively listed for sale, yet these homes receive nearly all the attention […]
  1. Media & Marketing
​[[{“value”:” Dive Brief The department store has a new digital tool that offers its catalog and personalized product support for companies and nonprofits. Published Feb. 5, 2025 By Tatiana Walk-Morris A J.C. Penney store. The retailer recently partnered with Sparc Group to launch Catalyst Brands. Daphne Howland/Retail Dive “}]] 
  1. Department: Consumer Durables
JCPenney has launched a new business-to-business website to offer customers a more seamless and personalized experience when purchasing durable goods and bulk items. The website offers small businesses and nonprofits access to JCPenney’s vast catalog of brands, including St. John’s Bay, Liz Claiborne and Worthington, and products spanning home, footwear and apparel categories. After businesses, […]
  1. Technology & Innovation
Artificial intelligence is among the most popular conversation topics in marketing today, and retailers are feeling intense pressure for a well-considered point of view and strategy around the technology. In recent roundtable discussions with more than 50 marketing leaders at a global conference, we found a vast range of experiences, organizational commitment to AI, and […]
  1. Data & Insights
In today’s cut-throat retail landscape, promotions, which account for 10 percent to 45 percent of total revenue, are a double-edged sword. On the one hand, they can potentially boost sales and significantly improve brand visibility. On the other hand, poorly executed promotions can lead to decreased margins, customer frustration, and even brand dilution. Traditional retail […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
In today’s world, mega-retailers have changed the way we shop. They offer same-day delivery and auto-shipment and sell cheaper versions of popular brands. Because of this, consumers now expect faster, easier transactions. Yet, they also want a personal touch. In fact, recent data tells us that of consumers who preferred to shop small this past […]
  1. Shopper & Customer
As ecommerce solidifies its position as a critical revenue growth driver for brands, organizations must reevaluate their operations to take a more holistic omnichannel approach to commerce. Category management is central to this transformation and an underrated element of it. In our new research piece, eCatman and the Path to Omni-Category Management, co-authored with TPG, […]
  1. Channel: Drug
CVS has launched a new app designed to serve as a one-stop shop for customers to do everything from managing their prescriptions and vaccinations to accessing coupons and opening locked display cases in stores. “As a company, we are super focused on improving the health care experience,” said Tilak Mandadi, EVP at CVS Health in […]
  1. Department: Food
Antique barware is more than just a tool for mixing drinks; it’s a functional work of art that brings character and sophistication to any home bar. These vintage pieces offer a glimpse into the glamour and elegance of bygone eras, showcasing the craftsmanship and design trends of the past. What makes antique barware particularly captivating […]
  1. Data & Insights
Today’s media landscape is complex. Americans continue to spend a significant amount of time with media, devoting 70 hours a week (or 10 hours a day) across all devices in the first quarter of 2024. But with audiences spreading their time across linear TV, CTV, radio, smartphones, tablets and computers, how can advertisers and media […]
  1. Data & Insights
NRF 2025 Show Recap NRF 2025 brought together thousands of retail and consumer brands in an inspiring environment where leaders shared insights, challenges, and strategies for the year ahead. While retail continues to evolve, some principles remain constant: delivering exceptional customer experiences, differentiating from competitors, and maintaining a healthy bottom line. Key Themes from NRF […]
  1. Channel: Mass
  PepsiCo Inc. is not just a food and beverage powerhouse; it is a leader in the grocerant niche, driving convenience, innovation, and consumer engagement. With a legacy of transforming snacking and beverage categories to meet evolving customer needs, PepsiCo has mastered bundling strategies that align with Gen Z and Millennials’ preferences for mix-and-match meals, […]
  1. Data & Insights
In an increasingly fast-paced advertising landscape, AI is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s here and a present-day necessity, giving those who use it effectively a massive advantage. A survey by Influencer Marketing Hub found that 60% of marketers are already using AI in their marketing. As AI fundamentally reshapes the landscape and opportunities […]
  1. Merchandising
  Portability, packaging, and profits have a new champion in convenience store food innovation: Kwik Trip. Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru® Steven Johnson declares, “Success leaves clues, and Kwik Trip’s commitment to expanding fresh fast-food portability with innovative packaging empowers consumer choice while driving the grocerant niche through mix-and-match meal component bundling.” Fresh Food Discovery Millennials […]
  1. Channel: Ecommerce & Digital
Ebay, DoorDash, Instacart and Uber are among the companies that have signed on to participate in the research preview of OpenAI’s new AI agent interface, called Operator. OpenAI describes Operator as “an agent that can go to the web to perform tasks for you.” Similar to other “agentic” AI tools from companies like Google, Salesforce […]
  1. Data & Insights
  The evolution of Ready-2-Eat and Heat-N-Eat fresh food has surged over the years, with 2025 proving to be a landmark moment for the grocerant niche. These retail food solutions cater to time-starved consumers seeking convenience, quality, and value. Steven Johnson, Foodservice Solutions® Grocerant Guru®, based in Tacoma, WA identifies seven powerful undercurrents driving this […]

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  1. Data & Insights
  2. Partnerships & Alt Profit
  3. Media & Marketing
  4. Data & Insights
  5. Shopper & Customer
1-800-Flowers still leads in US, FTD is gaining share 1-800-Flowers is the largest flower service by sales headed into Valentine’s Day 2025, according to Earnest credit card data. However, the industry stalwart is likely to lose share this season if recent trends continue. Access chart in Dash. 1-800-Flowers commanded 37.0% of Valentine’s Day flower sales […]
  1. Holiday & Events
  2. Holiday & Events
A good number of consumers, over 77%, believe there are better deals available after the holidays, and nearly 51% plan to take advantage by making a large purchase in late December and January. Those are top findings from a Holiday Green survey, from CouponCabin, regarding consumer habits in the post-holiday time frame. When it comes to post-holiday […]
  1. Trends & External Forces
  2. Data & Insights
  3. Technology & Innovation
  4. Trends & External Forces
IAB’s 2025 Outlook: A Snapshot into Ad Spend, Opportunities, and Strategies for Growth offering an early glimpse into ad spending trends for the coming year. The report is a must-read to gain and understanding of brand and agency buyers’ growth strategies and the challenges they foresee. The report covers: 2025 projections for the market overall […]
  1. Data & Insights
  2. Technology & Innovation
There’s been a lot of talk lately about artificial intelligence (AI) and generative AI (GenAI) and how these technologies are going to revolutionize retail. But the retail revolution can’t be accomplished with sweeping generalizations about putting more technology into stores. Successful retail outcomes are built using technology to solve specific challenges, expanding on wins and […]

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