http://www.designforum.com Just another WordPress weblog Mon, 30 Aug 2010 19:09:27 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9 en hourly 1 http://www.designforum.com/why-retailers-need-to-think-like-revolutionaries/ http://www.designforum.com/why-retailers-need-to-think-like-revolutionaries/#comments Fri, 21 May 2010 21:32:49 +0000 Scott Jeffrey http://www.designforum.com/?p=595 There wasn't an Evolutionary War for a reason. In the pre-dawn of U.S. history, the new settlers wanted more than to just evolve the British rule, it had to be overthrown. A new start, a clean slate. Imagine the pressure that those founding fathers must have felt when deciding that enough was enough, let's try something new. Today, many brands find themselves in the same place. The status quo isn't working. It’s time to differentiate. But I wonder if the ideas of "revolution" and "evolution" aren't being confused.]]> http://www.designforum.com/why-retailers-need-to-think-like-revolutionaries/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/retail-rollouts-sustainability-is-not-an-afterthought/ http://www.designforum.com/retail-rollouts-sustainability-is-not-an-afterthought/#comments Thu, 06 May 2010 20:28:35 +0000 Don Rethman http://www.designforum.com/?p=477 Whether a company has a long history of social responsibility or a newly awakened desire to conserve resources, there are trusted ways to make decisions based on return on investment. If a large fleet of stores is in need of image refreshing, that’s an opportunity to look at controlling energy costs and sustainable building strategies. Even stores primarily in tenant spaces can look at a healthier environment and LEED certification. ]]> http://www.designforum.com/retail-rollouts-sustainability-is-not-an-afterthought/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/how-brands-build-digital-bonds-with-their-shoppers/ http://www.designforum.com/how-brands-build-digital-bonds-with-their-shoppers/#comments Thu, 29 Apr 2010 18:23:05 +0000 Lynn Gonsior http://www.designforum.com/?p=430 Even with millions of items for sale, Amazon connects intimately with customers, from its one-click ordering to its ability to become more relevant with each visit. The result is a “barrier to exit” that other brands envy. American Eagle excels at aggressively integrating multi-channel marketing tactics into both its traditional and digital campaigns. It connects at all the right touchpoints, which goes a long way towards achieving brand loyalty. This year, AE included a mobile filed in its loyalty program, and used mobile as a point of entry into sweepstakes as well as an alerts program. Calls to action were posted on social networking sites, such as Facebook and Twitter in the form of banner ads, status updates and tweets.]]> http://www.designforum.com/how-brands-build-digital-bonds-with-their-shoppers/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/it-takes-a-strong-brand-is-to-inspire-shopper-confidence/ http://www.designforum.com/it-takes-a-strong-brand-is-to-inspire-shopper-confidence/#comments Wed, 28 Apr 2010 18:23:33 +0000 Justin Wartell http://www.designforum.com/?p=432 This year, retailers have made headway in the battle against “sameness” by negotiating exclusive famous name brands, making sure their private labels stand for something besides “cheaper” and by infusing the shopping experience with emotional appeal. One brand that renewed its value-plus-reason image is Old Navy. After veering off into fast fashion inspired by the designer runway, it has returned to bright basic family apparel surrounded and supported by its kitschy sense of humor. Shoppers are returning to the store and business is on the upswing.]]> http://www.designforum.com/it-takes-a-strong-brand-is-to-inspire-shopper-confidence/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/don%e2%80%99t-chase-shoppers-engage-them-with-creativity/ http://www.designforum.com/don%e2%80%99t-chase-shoppers-engage-them-with-creativity/#comments Tue, 27 Apr 2010 18:22:24 +0000 Scott Jeffrey http://www.designforum.com/?p=428 Copying the latest “hot” retailer is an easy way to stay current, to level the playing field. But imitation doesn’t keep you at the top of the shopper’s mind. When a retail brand displays a unique, creative energy—the J. Crew Liquor Store comes to mind—I get a dose of inspiration like an electric charge. I’m not just browsing now, I’m fully engaged because a particular creative spirit permeates every touchpoint for an unmistakable experience. That’s when the brand stops chasing and starts engaging. Maybe it’s my emotions, my ego, or my sense of fun which is always looking to come out and play.]]> http://www.designforum.com/don%e2%80%99t-chase-shoppers-engage-them-with-creativity/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-buy-creativity-by-the-pound/ http://www.designforum.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-buy-creativity-by-the-pound/#comments Thu, 22 Apr 2010 18:21:25 +0000 Bruce Dybvad http://www.designforum.com/?p=426 Businesses in search of competitive advantage are much more comfortable asking design consultants for “innovation” when they should be asking for “creativity,” the birthplace of new ideas. But creativity, with its faint air of mystery and associations with renegade, non-corporate types, doesn’t seem at home in the world of commerce, where goals are achieved through “procedure” and “knowledge.” Interbrand Design Forum has seen an increase in the number of retail brands deciding to bring creativity to the table, but a negative tendency to have their procurement officers treat it like a commodity—buying it by the pound. That’s a mistake. Few agencies know how to bring about the environment, the chemistry and the provocation that net the great, disruptive ideas that are actionable in terms of the brand experience. The kind that can move your business to a new place.]]> http://www.designforum.com/you-can%e2%80%99t-buy-creativity-by-the-pound/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/innovation-reigns-at-burger-king/ http://www.designforum.com/innovation-reigns-at-burger-king/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:27:39 +0000 Beth Ling http://www.designforum.com/?p=418 http://www.designforum.com/innovation-reigns-at-burger-king/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/interbrand-design-forum-ranks-the-most-valuable-u-s-retail-brands-walmart-remains-the-top-retailer-target-leaps-to-second-2/ http://www.designforum.com/interbrand-design-forum-ranks-the-most-valuable-u-s-retail-brands-walmart-remains-the-top-retailer-target-leaps-to-second-2/#comments Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:25:00 +0000 admin http://www.designforum.com/?p=415 http://www.designforum.com/interbrand-design-forum-ranks-the-most-valuable-u-s-retail-brands-walmart-remains-the-top-retailer-target-leaps-to-second-2/feed/ 0 http://www.designforum.com/redefining-brand-in-an-age-of-frugality/ http://www.designforum.com/redefining-brand-in-an-age-of-frugality/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:33:40 +0000 admin http://designforum.atomicclients.com/?p=292 http://www.designforum.com/redefining-brand-in-an-age-of-frugality/feed/ 1 http://www.designforum.com/the-value-of-brands/ http://www.designforum.com/the-value-of-brands/#comments Wed, 06 Jan 2010 20:29:45 +0000 admin http://designforum.atomicclients.com/?p=290 http://www.designforum.com/the-value-of-brands/feed/ 1