News and Analysis
Qualifying and Quantifying 2020’s E-commerce Surge
Spending hasn’t declined — it’s just shifted. One of the themes we’re seeing is that the standouts of 2020 are those who have shifted with it. We’re talking here about a broad definition of e-commerce — not just ordering things online, but any digital or mobile purchase.
For example, in local commerce, these digital fulfillment models include mobile order-ahead functions in QSR and coffee. They also include curbside pickup for physical goods. And in an even broader sense (and looking forward), they will include touchless or cashier-less retail in a post-Covid era of physical retail.
Survey: Consumers Are Taking a Cautious Approach to Black Friday
Despite the somewhat complicated outlook, there are things retailers can do to change their fate. NMI found that 43% of consumers plan to avoid shopping with retailers that don’t offer contactless payments. Retailers that quickly adapt and add contactless payment options, and then market those changes aggressively over the coming days, still have an opportunity to win back customers who would otherwise be staying home.
DTC Brands Combine Physical Storefronts with Localized Search Strategy
Allbirds and Fabletics aren’t the first DTC brands to open up for in-store shopping, of course. Brands like Warby Parker and Bonobos pioneered the approach years ago. But the latest class of trendy DTC brands is doing things a little differently. Rather than focusing on urban centers, like New York and Los Angeles, DTC brands are using local data to target new, smaller locations in states like Arizona, Florida, and Texas.
Commentary
How AI Helps Local Businesses Compete With the Biggest Brands
Historically, the world of advanced analytics has been the domain of huge enterprises with large budgets. But with big leaps in AI capabilities, even the smallest business can now access insights that were previously only available to “the big guys.”
How Local News Publishers Can Win SMB Ads Against Facebook: A Case Study
We know that local news providers can compete with Facebook for brand advertisers. But what about publishers also capturing SMBs—is that too much of a stretch? Michael Dinan, editor of the profitable local news site New Canaanite in suburban Connecticut, has some answers.
LBMA Podcast: VRstudios, McDonald’s, Snapcodes & Cargo
On this week’s edition of the Location-Based Marketing Association podcast: VRstudios, Fysical Technologies, City of Sacramento, Snapcodes + Cargo, McDonald’s, Cirque du Soleil + Ivanhoe Cambridge. Special guest: Karl Swannie – Echosec.
Latest Posts
Street Fight Daily: IBM and Salesforce Share AI Tech, Consumers Still Tepid About Connected Home
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology… IBM and Salesforce Will Start Sharing Their AI Technology… Most Consumers Not Turned On By Connected Home, Study Finds… Mobile World Congress 2017: Main Enterprise Themes…
Why Google Is Becoming the ‘New Homepage’ for SMBs
“So many things are happening right on Google; clicks to call, driving directions, etc., and even more so than a website,” Mike Blumenthal tells David Mihm. “For a business to do well there, things like photos, reviews (everywhere) and other visuals are becoming ever more important.”
Will Native-Social Ads Dominate Mobile?
The majority of mobile ad companies that don’t evolve their janky and interruptive banners will be displaced. A new era of mobile ads will be defined by intelligent formats that speak to the affinities of buying-empowered millennials (who are now almost 40 by the way).
Street Fight Daily: Uber Wants to Be a ‘Content Marketplace,’ The AP Supplies Hyperlocal Data
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology… Uber Plans to Turn Its App Into a ‘Content Marketplace’ During Rides… The AP’s Plan to Put Hyperlocal Data in the Hands of Reporters… Yelp Blames Google for Its Failed International Business…
Openings and New Hires at Okanjo, Factual, Bing Maps
Every two weeks, Geoff Michener covers some of the latest job changes taking place in this dynamic industry. This week’s edition includes moves and new openings at Pandora, LotLinx, and Kobe Digital.
Street Culture: Tech Startups Amping Up Opportunities for Women
For many locally focused tech companies — including NextDoor, SweetIQ, ibotta and G/O Digital — transparent sharing and openness at all levels is inviting a new workplace generation led by women.
Street Fight Daily: Snap Valuation Jumps to $34 Billion, SMBs Shift Marketing Spend to Digital
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology… Snapchat Shares Surge 44% in Market Debut… Small Businesses Shift Marketing Spend to Digital… For Quartz, Bots Are a Chance to Build a New Path for Interacting with News…
5 Ways Brick-and-Mortar Merchants Can Utilize On-Demand Services
Businesses that sell physical goods are discovering that they can cut costs and increase services for their customers by forming partnerships with on-demand apps rather than competing on their own. Here are five examples of ways that brick-and-mortar businesses can start utilizing on-demand services.
Local News Is Struggling — But Handouts From Digital Giants Aren’t the Answer
Two very smart thinkers about the future of American journalism have called for Facebook and other hugely prosperous digital enterprises to pay reparations for what their success is allegedly costing journalism and democracy. I’ve worked in journalism all my life, but I don’t buy these arguments.
Street Fight Daily: Lyft Seeks $500 Million in New Funding, Snap Values Itself at $24B on Eve of IPO
A roundup of today’s big stories in hyperlocal publishing, marketing, commerce, and technology… Lyft Seeking At Least $500 Million in New Funding… Snap Officially Sets Stock Price at $17, Raising $3.4 Billion in IPO… Instacart to Raise $400 Million as Other On-Demand Startups Die Around It…
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