Nordstrom Goes More Social

Posted on February 9, 2016 by bermanevansretail
Nordstrom has been a popular upscale retailer, renowned for its superior customer service, for about 115 years. As the company notes at its Web site:
“We’re proud to serve customers at 323 stores in 39 states and Canada. Customers are served at 121 full-line stores in the U.S. and Canada, 194 Nordstrom Rack locations, five Trunk Club clubhouses — a personalized styling service — two Jeffrey boutiques, and one clearance store. We also serve customers online in 96 countries through Nordstrom.com. And our nordstromrack.com site, which operates in partnership with our private sale site HauteLook, gives customers in the U.S., Canada, and Australia access to off-price fashion at considerable savings.”
“We believe fashion is a business of optimism, and in that spirit, we continue to grow and evolve. Free shipping and free returns, mobile shopping, and exciting new retail partnerships offer us continued opportunities to serve more customers in more ways with a fresh, relevant shopping experience and inspiring style. Fashion changes. Shopping changes. Our commitment to happy customers doesn’t.”
In recent years, Nordstrom has really picked up its pace with social media. Here are just a few of its 2016 YouTube videos.


 

 

 

Posted in Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing, Video Clips (non-career) | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

McDonald’s Gets Even More Involved in Literacy

Posted on February 8, 2016 by bermanevansretail
It’s been an interesting few years for McDonald’s. It has had problems with franchisees, a very expanded menu for a fast-food chain, and those who are pushing for healthier food. And all of this time, the firm has worked hard to improve its image as the world’s leading fast-food company.
As part of its healthier choices for kids, a few years ago to McDonald’s added a piece of fruit to its Happy Meals box. And in 2013, McDonald’s began distributing Happy Meals Books:
“Ensuring children have access to books has proven instrumental in combating illiteracy in children in the United States. Studies prove the simple act of reading a book to a child at bedtime has a direct impact on his or her educational growth and potential. To help fill this critical need, McDonald’s began distributing Happy Meal Books in 2013 and, by the end of this year, will have distributed more than 50 million books to children — enough to provide a book to every child in America under the age of 12.”
As the firm announced on Twitter:
 
AND, from February 2 through February 2016, it will be offering a book instead of a toy with Happy Meals.
Samantha Grossman reports for Time that:
“Trying to get your kids to read more? You might want to take them to McDonald’s, where they’ll get a book instead of a toy in their Happy Meals, now through Feb. 15.”
“According to the Los Angeles Times, McDonald’s is including four different books. Three of them are Valentine’s Day themed: Clark the Shark Takes Heart, Happy Valentine’s Day, Mouse!, and Pete the Cat: Valentine’s Day Is Cool. The fourth book is the classic Paddington.”
“This is the third time the fast-food chain has served miniature paperbacks instead of plastic toys in its Happy Meals.”

 

 

Posted in Part 1: Overview/Planning, Part 2: Ownership, Strategy Mix, Online, Nontraditional, Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 6: Merchandise Management and Pricing, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment

What Do YOU Think Are Best and Worst Super Bowl Ads Ever?

Posted on February 5, 2016 by bermanevansretail
During the first 49 Super Bowls, there have been a lot of TV commercials presented, and billions of dollars spent on them. So, which of these commercials are considered the best and which the worst?
Before reading the experts’ choices, state what is your all-time favorite Super Bowl TV commercial and what is your least favorite. Why?

 

According to Judann Pollack, writing for Ad Age, these are the top 10 Super Bowl TV ads from games 1-49. Click the ad title to see it at YouTube; and click here to learn why these ads were chosen as the best:
  1. Apple, “1984.”
  2. Monster.com, “When I Grow Up.”
  3. Budweiser, “Respect.” (9/11 Tribute!)
  4. Coca-Cola, “Hilltop.”
  5. EDS, “Cat Herding.”
  6. Coca-Cola, “Mean Joe Greene.”
  7. Nike, “Hare Jordan.”
  8. Volkswagen, “The Force.”
  9. Ram Trucks, “Farmer.”
  10. Budweiser, “Whassup!?”

 

According to Kimberly Potts, reporting for Yahoo! TV, these are the worst Super Bowl TV ads from games 1-49. Click the ad title to see it at YouTube; and click here to learn why these ads were chosen as the worst:
  1. Groupon, “Save the Money – Tibet”
  2. GM, “Robot Commercial”
  3. SalesGenie.com, “Pandas”
  4. Go Daddy, “Body Paint: Danica Patrick & Jillian Michaels”
  5. Go Daddy, “Exposure: Danica Patrick”
  6. Miller, “Evil Beavers vs. Miller Lite”
  7. Pepsi, “King’s Court with Elton John”
  8. Go Daddy, “Perfect Match with Bar Refaeli”
  9. Teleflora, “Adriana Lima”
  10. Bridgestone Tires, Alice Cooper & Richard Simmons”

 

Posted in Part 3: Targeting Customers and Gathering Information, Part 7: Communicating with the Customer, Social Media and Retailing, Video Clips (non-career) | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | 1 Comment