Apple beats but comes up light on iPhone sales and services

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Product Brands and Branding, Retail Marketing.

Description: Apple reported fiscal fourth-quarter earnings on Thursday that beat Wall Street expectations on revenue and earnings per share. However, Apple came up short versus revenue expectations in core product categories including the company’s iPhone business and services. Source: CNBC.com – video report Date: Oct 28, 2022 Link: https://www.cnbc.com/2022/10/27/apple-aapl-earnings-q4-2022.html Questions for discussion: From a marketing point of view, how good… Read more »

On Car-Free Streets, Many New York Restaurants Thrived

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Market Segmentation, Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

Description: By promoting outdoor dining, the city’s Open Streets program has helped some eating and drinking establishments survive the pandemic, a new report finds. Source: NYTim.com Date: Oct 26, 2022 Link: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/25/nyregion/ny-open-streets-restaurants.html Questions for discussion: Why was this concept successful, in your opinion? How does it change consumer thinking about the restaurant experience? Should other… Read more »

Shopify – A Tale Of Two Cities?

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Innovation, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing.

Description: Starting a business is hard. It’s very hard. I’m not sure what’s harder: Getting the first sale or getting to your first million in sales. As an entrepreneur you can do everything “right” and still not find a market fit. Most businesses fail. Hard. Success in business is the exception. Not the rule. Source:… Read more »

Loblaw facing cricism

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing.

Description: Some critics have labelled Loblaw’s announcement that it is freezing prices on its No Name brand until January a PR stunt. Its competitor Metro says such a freeze is ‘an industry practice.’ Source: CBC.ca – video report Date: Oct 18, 2022 Link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZLT1FKLTE00 Questions for discussion: Summarize the criticism directed at Loblaw. Do you… Read more »

Anti-Defamation League urges Adidas to sever ties with Ye’s Yeezy

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Ethics, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing.

Description: The Anti-Defamation League is urging Adidas to sever ties with Ye, calling out his recent hateful comments in a letter to Adidas CEO Kasper Rorsted and Chairman Thomas Rabe. The rapper and designer, formerly known as Kanye West, has in recent weeks made several degrading remarks about Jewish people and targeted his business partners with… Read more »

Patagonia’s grand gesture sends the wrong message about ethical capitalism

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Global Marketing, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Supply Chain.

Description: Patagonia’s recent blockbuster announcement that the company was “turning capitalism on its head by making the Earth our only shareholder” is generating a lot of attention. It is the start of another chapter in a long and storied history of a company that, more often than not, has been getting ethics right. Source: TheConversation.com Date: Oct… Read more »

The economics of Costco rotisserie chicken

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Marketing Strategy, Pricing, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing, Supply Chain.

Description: Costco’s popular chickens have stayed fixed at $4.99 for more than a decade — even in the face of raging inflation. But it’s come at a cost. Source: TheHustle.com Date: Oct 08, 2022 Link: https://thehustle.co/the-economics-of-costco-rotisserie-chicken/ Questions for discussion: Why has Costco kept chicken prices fixed? How has this strategy fit with overall branding strategy?… Read more »

Businesses considering added credit card fee to pass on costs as rules change: survey

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Ethics, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Research, Metrics/Analytics, Pricing, Product Brands and Branding, Relationship Marketing, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

Description: Canadians may see a jump in businesses adding credit card surcharges as restrictions on the practice lift this week, though research from the Bank of Canada shows consumers have long been paying extra because of the payment option. ​ Source: Yahoo.Finance.com Date: Oct 05, 2022 Link: https://ca.finance.yahoo.com/news/nearly-1-5-merchants-considering-131330390.html Questions for discussion: What are the potential… Read more »

Dunkin’ promotes architect behind next-gen push to CMO

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Integrated Marketing Communications (IMC), Marketing Strategy, Product Brands and Branding, Retail Marketing.

Description: Dunkin’ is making a safe bet in promoting Nelson to CMO as the brand tries to navigate an industry reshaped by the pandemic. Source: MarketingDive.com Date: Sep 22, 2022 Link: https://www.marketingdive.com/news/dunkin-CMO-restaurant-marketing-cold-brew/632436/?utm_source=Sailthru&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Issue:%202022-09-22%20Marketing%20Dive%20Newsletter%20%5Bissue:44710%5D&utm_term=Marketing%20Dive Questions for discussion: What are the significant changes that have redefined the firm? How much can be attributed to the pandemic? Why is… Read more »

McDonald’s will have adult Happy Meals this October

Posted by & filed under Consumer/Buyer Behavior, Innovation, Product Brands and Branding, Retail Marketing, Services Marketing.

Description: For a limited time only, Happy Meals aren’t just for kids. McDonald’s teamed up with the fashion streetwear brand Cactus Plant Flea Market to release an adult meal box, complete with a classic character toy. Source: NPR.org Date: Sep 29, 2022 Link: https://www.npr.org/2022/09/29/1125809528/mcdonalds-adult-happy-meals-october Questions for discussion: What do you think about this promotional effort?… Read more »