News and Analysis
Self-Checkout Grows Up (and Sometimes Phases Out)
As the cost of labor skyrockets (especially in California) and the size of the qualified talent pool shrinks for MULO (multi-location) brands, retailers and restaurants are looking for ways to automate and streamline all aspects of their operations. Self-checkout was introduced in the 1980s but didn’t take off and proliferate until 2001. Since their mass roll-out, […]
Another ‘Tainment Category Sprouts Up
You’ve likely heard of eatertainment and sportstainment. But a new category of ‘tainment is out in the field — agritainment! A huge complex in Arizona (on the site of a family farm) has been converted into a space where people can eat, learn about farming, participate in fun activities, and pick fruits and vegetables in season. […]
Commentary
Delivery Culture Is Here to Stay
In one of the strongest signs yet of long-term changes in consumer behavior following the pandemic, food delivery services are continuing to achieve record growth even as consumers move closer to pre-pandemic levels of activity. The new era of delivery reached a milestone this month when Uber announced that delivery revenue from Uber Eats in 2021 outpaced revenue from ridesharing, Uber’s original raison d’être.
Latest Posts
Brands Look to Maximize Ad Spend Ahead of Recession
As brands struggle to deal with restrictions on data-driven ad targeting and an economic slowdown since the second quarter, ad budgets are on the chopping block. Brand marketers and agencies are being asked to do more with less. Expectations on return on investment are at an all-time high, even while ad budgets stagnate or decrease. What’s the solution?
Location-Based Marketing Association: Simon Property Group Launches Search Platform
In this episode of Location Weekly, the Location-Based Marketing Association covers Readyland’s Alexa-enabled books letting kids talk to characters, Peru’s Oechsle dressing mannequins in theaters with their clothes, Simon Property Group launching a search platform for shoppers, Geobroadcast responding to broadcast association complaints, and updated stats on the performance of the SocialShelf platform.
Independent Agencies Are Getting Boxed Out of Adtech