Digital CPG Blog

“A recent Grocery Manufacturers Association study found that 62% of shoppers search for deals digitally before at least half of their shopping trips. While traditional media still plays an important role in shaping purchase decisions, marketers need to add proactive social marketing programs to their promotional strategies,” argues a new report from BzzAgent.

The study shows that social marketing most definitely affects loyalty, with one case study reporting a 37% increase in program membership, a 55% increase in loyalty transactions and a 75% growth in dollars spent per cardholder.

Those are some pretty impressive reasons to integrate your social strategy with your loyalty marketing. You can learn more and download the full report here.

“AOL and media and marketing services company Valassis have partnered to create a digital coupon service that will enable more than 7,500 grocery stores to distribute deals through the two companies’ online and mobile networks,” reports DM News.

Consumers will be able to download coupons to their loyalty and grocery cards and then browse, select and save at specific participating retailers.

“This partnership is all about distribution and finding eyeballs to reach a mass audience,” said John Lieblang, president of Livonia, MI-based Valassis Digital Media. “If we add up our networks, it allows us to touch 127 million active, frequent shoppers…and in turn it saves time for the consumer.”

When digital coupons become so easy for the consumer, I think the next wave we’ll see from companies are more creative and meaningful loyalty programs. After all, a discount can only go so low.

It used to be understood that private label brands were of lesser quality. Nowadays, not only is that changing in reality, but in perception as well.

“The private label market has enjoyed sales growth in recent years that isn’t likely to decrease in the near future, as private label companies continue to introduce better-for-you products and more attractive packaging, all while being easier on consumers’ pockets,” reports CS News.

The reputation of private label products has improved, with 44% in a Mintel survey saying quality has gotten better over the past five years and 34% saying they are not giving up anything by using store brands. “Many retailers have introduced premium private label products in recent years that rival their branded counterparts in flavor and nutritional value,” said a Mintel analyst.

How can national brands continue to compete? And is it a private label anymore if they are doing all the same things as a national brand?