Take a Store Wi-Fi Quiz

Posted on October 13, 2016 by bermanevansretail
Retail Touchpoints has made available an interesting online quiz: “In-Store Wi-Fi — Are You Keeping Pace With Your Retail Peers? Take this quick quiz to understand how well you are leveraging Wi-Fi in the race to build your business. See how you are doing relative to your peers, and gain ideas for upgrading your guest Wi-Fi offering.”
Click the image to access the quiz. Good luck!


 

Posted in Online Retailing, Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Social Media and Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Choosing Gas for Your Vehicle Not as Easy as You Think

Posted on October 10, 2016 by bermanevansretail
What factors do you consider when buying gas for your vehicle? Octane rating, emissions, brand name, price? Do you believe that there are differences in gasoline? The correct answer is yes, but not necessarily in the way that you think.
There are actually two points that should be important to you, even if you have been using the cheapest gas you can find:
  1. According to new AAA research, “American drivers wasted more than $2.1 billion dollars in the last year by using premium-grade gasoline in vehicles designed to run on regular fuel. With 16.5 million U.S. drivers having used premium fuel despite the vehicle manufacturer’s recommendation in the last 12 months, AAA conducted a comprehensive fuel evaluation to determine what, if any, benefit the practice offers to consumers. After using industry-standard test protocols designed to evaluate vehicle performance, fuel economy, and emissions, AAA found no benefit to using premium gasoline in a vehicle that only requires regular-grade fuel.” [Note from Evans on Marketing: There is no need to use premium gas if it is “recommended” by the manufacturer, only if the owner’s manual says premium is “required.”]
  2. A second study by the AAA  uncovered significant differences in the quality of gasoline sold at fuel retailers in the United States. The independent laboratory testing compared gasolines that meet TOP TIER™ standards often marketed to consumers as having enhanced, engine-cleaning detergent additives with gasoline brands that do not participate in the automaker-backed program. Among brands tested, non-TOP TIER gasolines caused 19 times more engine deposits than TOP TIER brands after just 4,000 miles of simulated driving. Such carbon deposits are known to reduce fuel economy, increase emissions, and negatively impact vehicle performance, particularly on newer vehicles. To protect vehicle investments, AAA urges drivers to use a gasoline that meets TOP TIER standards for engine cleanliness and performance.” [Note from Evans on Marketing: The use of TOP TIER gasoline is supported by the nonprofit Consumer Reports!]

 
Click the image to see if you are buying your gas at a TOP TIER brand retailer.
 

 

Posted in Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 5: Managing a Retail Business, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

Uber Drop-Offs Right to the Store

Posted on October 6, 2016 by bermanevansretail
There is now a new opportunity for Uber, the ride-sharing firm: Delivering customers right to the retail store.
As reported by Lauren Johnson for Advertising Week:
“The ride-hailing app is partnering with location-data company Yext to let retail brands create in-app campaigns. Uber has already worked with brands like Dick’s Sporting Goods and Casper to deliver on-demand products but now appears to opening up the actual app as a marketing platform.”
“Here’s how it works: Retailers can use Yext’s software to plug Uber’s API into their mobile apps, sites, and E-mails. Clicking on the button opens the Uber app—or prompts people to download it—and shows consumers where the store is located. Retailers can then specify an exact address or location on a map where they want the person dropped off. Macy’s, for example, can ask Uber drivers to drop a rider directly at the door of its Herald Square location in New York instead of dropping them off at the corner (where they’re less likely to walk straight into the store).”
“While consumers still pay for the Uber ride, retailers can set up campaigns within Uber once someone is in the car. In one example, retailers can link a pin on an Uber map to a Web site showing in-store inventory at a shop. Or, a restaurant could pull its menu information into the app. The brands have to be paying Yext clients.”

 
Click the image to read more.
 

Brands can link to E-commerce sites within Uber/Yext

 

Posted in Online Retailing, Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 4: Store Location Planning, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing, Technology in Retailing | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment