News and Analysis
5 MULO (Multi-Location) Trends We Can’t Ignore
We’re more than halfway through the year, and the consumer (and its artificial intelligence equivalents) have spoken! The MULO (multi-location) ecosystem is poised for a significant transformation. MULO comprises restaurants, retail, home and personal services businesses, hospitality, convenience stores, groceries, branded housing complexes, and other companies that have multiple brick-and-mortar locations. Here are some of […]
Are Discount Stores and Outlet Malls Still Relevant?
Long before Amazon, consumers would make excursions to factory outlet malls and wander the aisles of stores like Loehmann’s, seeking the ultimate bargain. Bargain shopping remains a great American pastime, and thrifting and upscale second-hand stores have joined the mix, alongside big-box, high-volume membership stores like Costco. Among the MULO (multi-location) discount store brands today […]
Pop-up Retail Abounds
We already know that the “big box” store model has its challenges these days. And micro store footprints have become a widespread alternative to high rents and excess inventory. Even Ikea is getting into the mini-store game. But this summer, another retail format is trending. The pop-up (like a food truck for shopping) is everywhere. Big […]
Commentary
Streets Ahead: Google’s Search Labs and Optimizing for AI Search
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discusses Google’s Search Labs latest experiment and optimizing local pages for AI search. Google’s Search Labs Tests AI for Business Leads The News Last week, Google’s Search Labs introduced a new experiment called “Ask for me,” an AI-powered feature designed to call businesses on your behalf to gather […]
Finance Is Questioning Your Marketing Value: Can You Prove Your Worth?
Marketers today are facing an overwhelming number of challenges. Too many channels, each claiming to be the key to driving performance. Finance teams are questioning whether marketing investments are truly profitable. As a result of this pressure, many brands have shifted their budgets toward performance-driven digital channels, prioritizing conversion metrics that validate their short-term decision-making. […]
When a $7 Million Super Bowl Ad Isn’t Enough
The Super Bowl still represents the most premium of premium ad buys. However, the ROI of such a premium spot—regardless of its creative execution—has everything to do with the omnichannel strategy that surrounds it. More than ever, live sports advertising needs to reflect a community-driven mindset. As a result of the unique way in which […]
Latest Posts
Check Out What’s New at the Grocery Store
Walk into any MULO (multi-location) grocery store today, and you’ll likely find far more than what you might have experienced 20 years ago. In fact, the most popular grocery store in the U.S. today is not even an actual grocery store. According to this recent study, 7-Eleven ranks highest, which is proof positive of the […]
BILI Social Partners with NHLAA
Social-media and commerce company BecauseILoveIt.com (BILI Social), has entered an exclusive three-year partnership with the NHL Alumni Association (NHLAA). The goal is to help brands tap into the communities of former professional athletes through revenue-sharing opportunities. Players can promote products through social media and earn commissions through BILI Social. Adrian Capobianco, Co-Founder and CEO of […]
Mother Nature + AI = MULO Sales, According to Zoomd
Sagi Weinberg, Sales Director of Zoomd, a digital marketing powerhouse, believes that many MULO (multi-location) retailers, restaurants, and service businesses are missing out on one key data point that can help them attract customers and sales. The answer lies in the skies — our weather! Whether brands are dealing with frigid or oven-like temps, snow […]
Streets Ahead: Google Social Posts, Local Pack & AIO Results
In this week’s Streets Ahead update, SOCi discuss Google expanding social posts visibility in local search results and a new study that finds a correlation between local pack and AI Overview results. Google Now Showcasing Social Posts More Prominently in Mobile Search The News If you haven’t already added your social media URLs to your […]
BUST: John Hunewill Performs an “Autopsy” on Forever 21
Forever 21 is one of the latest major MULO (multi-location) retailers to declare bankruptcy. A discount fashion brand, it was founded in 1984 and was heralded as one of the best discount fashion retailers. But “Forever” turned out to be a stretch. John Hunewill, Partner at Allen Austin, has spent nearly three decades in retail, […]
Amperity Unifies Fleet Farm’s Loyalty Program
You might be forgiven if you’ve never heard of Fleet Farm as a destination for home-improvement, agricultural, and outdoorsy pursuits if you’re not from the Midwest. Fleet Farm is a destination with a loyal customer base, and recently tapped Amperity to manage its customer-loyalty program. Amperity uses AI for identity resolution and to create customizable […]
Turning Digital Signage into Responsive Retail Experiences
In a move set to redefine in-store engagement, Spectrio has unveiled Smart Content Triggering, a new suite of capabilities that brings real-time intelligence to digital signage in retail and food service environments. By enabling displays to respond dynamically to real-world inputs—from customer behavior to weather conditions—Spectrio’s platform aims to make physical spaces as personalized and […]
What are You Doing on September 30th?
As a consumer, you likely shop, dine, and consume services at a combination of big-box and mom-and-pop establishments. As a MULO (multi-location) executive, agency, or tech company, you probably attend several industry-specific (retail, restaurant, service) conferences in your sector. So, what’s the deal with an event like Street Fight LIVE 2025 that cuts across multiple […]
BOOM: The Extended Stay Hotel
Street Fight is always looking out for MULO (multi-location) categories on the upswing. The hospitality industry is now complex and growing. Currently projected to reach $443 billion worldwide this year, it comprises every variation of places to sleep and play — from the luxury hotel and resort to the trusted roadside motel brand. One category […]
LG Ad Solutions Expands with Amazon Publisher Direct Integration
LG Ad Solutions, a global leader in connected TV (CTV) and cross-screen advertising, recently announced a strategic integration with Amazon Publisher Services (APS), further enhancing access to premium inventory on LG Channels — LG’s free, ad-supported streaming service available on all LG Smart TVs. This collaboration makes LG Channels inventory available via Amazon Publisher Direct […]
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