These days, retailers are nervous and with good reason. The COVID-19 pandemic caused consumer behavior and technology to leap forward. Many retailers are struggling, while the Amazons and Instacarts of the world have charged ahead. The Amazon effect is rippling through our economy at lightning speed. It’s changing technology, raising expectations and turning retail inside out. After the upheaval of…

If you’ve read any of our articles on ecommerce, you know that we’re adamant about the role of photography in the online shopping experience. High-quality imagery provides consumers with a pre-purchase experience. When that experience is positive, it can lead to sales, good reviews and even loyal fans. Photography and video combined are what we refer to as digital assets….

From time to time, we all need a change. The same is true for brands. If you’re plugged into the world of branding, it may seem like there’s more rebranding happening on any given day than there is branding. Thankfully, that’s not the case. While it’s true that certain industries refresh their brands more often than others, it’s not routine…

A Simple Framework for Home Improvement Brands In the modern home improvement landscape, strategic adaptability is the name of the game. Brands are quickly learning to pivot in response to evolving consumer behaviors, which are pointing in favor of a hybrid shopping experience and one that blends retail and ecommerce in ever-changing proportions. Smart brands have embraced this omnichannel evolution,…

How long has it been since your last online purchase? If you’re like most people, the answer ranges from minutes to hours. If you have a smartphone, you know that any moment can be a consumer moment. If you have any digital subscriptions, you might be buying something right now. These days, you can buy things anytime, anywhere, with a…

On a recent store walk with a client, the topic of shelf space came up, and the question was posed as to where private label products belong in that equation. It may seem like private label brands are all over the place and, like this client, you may be wondering why. The easy answer is that it depends. But, fortunately,…

In case you missed it, sustainability isn’t just a Whole Foods thing anymore. Look around, and you’ll quickly see that a majority of global brands are adjusting to match evolving consumer attitudes towards environmental and social justice. There’s a bit of a chicken and egg effect happening here, with some companies and consumers leading and others following, but the end…

Just over a month ago, Lowe’s issued an invitation to “entrepreneurs from underrepresented communities to participate in “Making it…with Lowe’s.” In partnership with Daymond John, star of ABC’s Shark Tank, Lowe’s is creating an opportunity for minority-owned small businesses to pitch their products for sale online and in stores. From what we know, the program will be a series of…

2020 is shaping up to be a year we’ll never forget, though most of the world might prefer to move on and celebrate New Year’s early. It’s been a year of loss, a year of confusion, a year of dissociation. But the news isn’t all bad. In fact, there’s a lot of promising financial news about the way the home…

Photographers aren’t the only ones who make a pretty picture possible. Editorial and lifestyle producers work behind the scenes to get things done that you might not even think of. Here’s a snapshot of what to expect on set: First, you’ve got to pick the perfect photoshoot location. You may have to register for permits (yes, that’s permits with an…