Casey Ritter's Blog

Marketing is a race without a finish line

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Would You Like Fries With That? McDonald’s Already Knows the Answer

The fast-food chain is turning to artificial intelligence and machine learning in the hopes of predicting what customers want before they decide.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/quickerbettertech/2019/03/31/mcdonalds-to-use-ai-for-your-next-drive-thru-purchase-and-other-small-business-tech-news-this-week/ 

https://www.wsj.com/articles/mcdonalds-tests-robot-fryers-and-voice-activated-drive-throughs-11561060920

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-7450137/McDonalds-doubles-AI-Firm-acquires-voice-tech-startup-improve-interactive-menus.html

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Apple TV Plus original movies might be heading to cinemas first

A trip to the theater

https://www.macrumors.com/2019/10/07/the-elephant-queen-trailer-apple-tv-plus/

https://www.trustedreviews.com/news/apple-tv-plus-vs-netflix-3683644 

https://www.bestbuy.com/site/apple/apple-tv-plus-streaming-service/pcmcat1568305412064.c?id=pcmcat1568305412064 

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Bud brewer adding Natural Light Seltzer in bid for college crowd: report

The brewer behind beers like Budweiser is planning to add a low-cost option to the surging hard seltzer market.

https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/sightlines/2019/7/29/monthly-beer-sales-have-already-peaked-not-so-for-hard-seltzer

https://www.greenwichtime.com/technology/businessinsider/article/We-taste-tested-hard-seltzers-from-9-popular-14370259.php 

https://nypost.com/2019/08/06/spiked-seltzers-are-the-official-cocktail-of-summer-2019/ 

https://www.goodbeerhunting.com/sightlines/2019/7/29/monthly-beer-sales-have-already-peaked-not-so-for-hard-seltzer 

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Upcoming Whole Foods store to house robotic barista

“Connected coffee” kiosk makes custom beverages on demand

https://thespoon.tech/briggo-lands-its-robot-barista-at-the-sfo-airport-on-july-28/ 

https://cstoredecisions.com/2019/10/11/whole-foods-to-test-robot-barista/

https://www.forbes.com/sites/claudiaalarcon/2018/09/13/the-barista-of-the-future-is-here-and-its-name-is-briggo/#1a9f1ef52dac 

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Foot Locker invests in kids' clothing company Rockets of Awesome—the latest in a string of deals

Foot Locker is investing $12.5 million in children's apparel company Rockets of Awesome.

https://www.chainstoreage.com/finance-0/foot-lockers-latest-partner-is-a-start-up-kids-apparel-brand/ 

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&ved=2ahUKEwiog5Lf5sbhAhXimuAKHR_RCjsQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.mysubscriptionaddiction.com%2F2018%2F04%2Frockets-of-awesome-boys-clothing-box-review-spring-2018.html&psig=AOvVaw3_HdVKE5sRKtPMLFgfDhFY&ust=1555029577264165 

https://www.footlocker-inc.com/content/flinc-aem-site/en/home/news-room/foot-locker--inc--announces-strategic-partnership-with-rockets-o.html 

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How 12 Brands Used Snapchat

Some people wish all advertising would disappear in 10 seconds, but here are some of the standout Snapchat campaigns, with input from marketers on why they’re including the platform in their social efforts.

https://mybilliondollarapp.com/snapchat-snapshot-audience-numbers-demographics-and-advertising/

https://www.fastcompany.com/3033793/how-12-brands-used-snapchat 

https://www.fastcompany.com/3033793/how-12-brands-used-snapchat

https://www.fastcompany.com/3033793/how-12-brands-used-snapchat

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Adidas signs Beyoncé as a creative partner

Beyoncé Knowles found a new home for her Ivy Park athleisure brand -- and Adidas is adding one of the world's biggest celebrities to its ranks.

http://www.hotel-lindamarbella.com/ladies-sweatshirts-c-8/iv221j013k11-ivy-park-outline-silicon-logo-sweatshirt-porcelain-blue-outer-fabric-material58-polyester-42-cotton-pdkidqa-p-4446.html

https://www.houstoniamag.com/slideshows/2016/11/23/beyonce-finds-perfect-model-for-new-ivy-park-collection-its-beyonce

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwjWhJv2msnhAhVNLK0KHe-zDVEQjRx6BAgBEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.finder.com.au%2Fbeyonce-adidas-partnership&psig=AOvVaw2DmSRPOF_zIWHKERaCngzo&ust=1555112302291859 

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Millennials kill American Cheese!

American Cheese has become less popular. American cheese is replaced with cheese that consists of no preservatives. Even huge restaurants and food chains such as Wendy’s is now using asiago. McDonald’s is using cheese that does not contain preservatives. This made McDonalds have higher sales for their company. Customers now demand for more natural cheeses. Customers are extremely more content with McDonalds changes. This is why they have higher sales. Customer service and satisfaction is relevant to keep businesses such as McDonalds successful in today’s world. 

http://www.philly.com/philly/food/20080523_Whiz_on_a_cheesesteak__Hit_or_myth_.html 

Brands such as Kraft is supposed to drop sales by 1.6%. This makes it the fourth year in a row the sales has gone down. There have been many Cheese Factories that have been built in the years of 2000-2017, but only the successful ones are the smaller ones that make organic/ healthier cheese. Kraft and Velveeta should think about changing their ingredients to make a healthier cheese for their customers. They need to realize their customer’s want and needs. They want cheese that does not contain artificial preservatives. This is hurting the companies because even in the stores, customers do not go in there to buy American Cheese anymore. This resulted in the sales dropping below $4 a pound. 

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-10-10/american-cheese-is-no-longer-america-s-big-cheese 

Kraft needs to sell to millennials. They are taking over and demand knowing the ingredients their cheese contains. Many companies competing, but the smaller ones are prosperous. This is because they offer extra value and uniqueness. Peter Cotter, CO of Kraft, realized ingredients have to be unique and healthier. I am excited to see the change companies such as Kraft make and will be interested in buying their new product. 

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A new survey of American teens suggests the sneaker brand to watch is Vans

It even unseated Nike as the top footwear brand among upper-income female teens.

In 1966 the first Vans store in California opened. It has become extremely popular along with the 90s trend in today’s generation. According to Piper Jaffray, Vans is the sneaker to watch out for. He has been asking American teens a thousand times what is their favorite style and brands. The target market can be defined as group or individuals that a retailer is looking for to assist. The target market for Vans is Teenagers and Kids. Nike is still extremely popular since about 41% teens identified Nike as their favorite brand, but Vans is giving Nike a run for its money. With the highest percentage, 19% of teens said that Vans was their favorite brand. 

https://www.theatlas.com/charts/B19Lptijm 

Vans growth has grown by 26%, and their apparel is even growing quicker which is only about 20% of the brand Vans. The look identified as a “streetwear look” continues to grow among teens. Brands such as Supreme, Off White, and Vans grown in popularity. Teens and shoppers now prefer shoes that have more  and are comfortable rather than athletic ones that a person wears to work out. The retailing world is always changing. For Vans to stay successful, they should stay attune to customer’s needs. Piper is doing a great job of this by continuing to survey the Teenagers across the US. The teens will always be deciding what is trendy in today’s generation so Vans has to stay on top of their brand to make sure they are relevant and trendy. 

https://www.stripesnvibes.com/checked-blazer-vans-sporty-casual-street-style/ 

Customers demand uniqueness and Van’s bring’s uniqueness. A person can create and customize van shoe. This helps customers feel satisfied and enhances customer services. Many customers flee the Van’s store feeling that their in store experience has been outdone. I think it will be interesting to see how huge Vans can be. I believe they have so much potential and will only continue to grow and get better. 

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Barnes & Noble is attempting to stay alive. Companies like Amazon made it almost impractical to contest. Local stores make it hard to compete because they lack accomplishing the customers wishes. Also, lack making connections with customers. Amazon already won against Barnes & Noble since their Kindle has exceeded Barnes & Noble’s Nook poorly. 

https://hackernoon.com/for-barnes-noble-its-1994-all-over-again-1f72e27c4118 

Can Barnes & Noble be successful again? In order to, they need to know their target market. They need to gain the millennial’s attention and use strategic planning. Also they need to reach out to the older generation because they still enjoy the physical interaction with the store staff. Barnes & Noble needs to create a designed plan that allows them achieve their goals. They need to know what their customer’s exactly wants and needs. In today’s world everything is almost digital. They should focus on how they will bring customers in the store and make a purchase. Barnes & Noble should take advantage of M-tailing. M-tailing can be described as allowing shoppers to use smartphones and other devices to make purchases. Barnes and Noble should come up with an in store app for customers. This brings in customers and allow them to receive free giveaways. 

https://www.pcquest.com/the-smartphone-is-the-demat-to-achieve-digital-india/ 

There is no leadership being taken to save this store. According to Kahn’s retailing matrix, to be successful a store needs greatness in all four of these quadrants. The quadrants are “product benefit”, “increased pleasure”, “take away the pain”, and “easy and frictionless”. Big companies like Nike thrive in all four quadrants. Barnes & Noble’s issue is they are not excellent in any of these four. They need to find out how to make customers come to Barnes & Noble and not demand Amazon. Also, resizing the store and make them cozy for customers. Lastly, make their lifeless retail store into a great shopping experience. 

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Target’s private labels have always been a key part of its brand strategy, but the retailer is now phasing out some of its original core brands to make room for a new wave of more specifically segmented brands.

Retailers should always try a diverse amount of strategies. Target’s doing a great job. Target has competitors like Amazon and Walmart. For Target to stay on top and compete, they decided to focus on brands like New Day for their new and better strategy. Adopting this new strategic plan will allow them to keep growing bigger and bigger

https://www.brit.co/target-a-new-day-lookbook-launch/

Target’s new brands can include brands such as A New Day and Prologue. Target has decided to target a certain demographic with these brands. These new niche brands have made up 30% of Target’s sales. Retailing is always changing which changed the demographic shifts. It has adapted because they are more attuned to their customer and their need’s. Since retailing is always changing so is the consumer’s taste and preference. 

https://corporate.target.com/article/2017/08/new-brands-teaser 

Consumer’s decide whats popular and relevant. Target’s new brands are targeted to Gen-Z women and millennial men. It stated that they used customer data and studied the many diverse shopping habits of customers. This allowed them to adjust and change their preference and establish new brands. Since consumers are in control of what they buy from the store, Target said that their customer’s wishes is what drives them to make decision. I believe Target will stay outstanding because they realized old brands such as Mossimo were suffering and launched new brands that accompolish their consumer’s needs and more focused on specific groups. This a good example of consumer choice since Target is now providing their consumer’s with choices that were not previously available before.