Mike Anthony

AUGUST 28, 2023

What do you typically expect from a training workshop? Better skills? That would be a start, for sure. But what if you could run a workshop that did much more than that? What if the training workshop built skills? And drove massive additional sales revenue? And profit? What if the workshop delivered a huge return on investment? What if it changed how different teams worked together, delivering a measurable change in cross-functional collaboration levels?

Consumer 100

Consumer Planning Returns Marketing 100

Mike Anthony

SEPTEMBER 26, 2023

Retail is arguably changing faster than ever before. Every market I visit is changing in many ways, and while each country is different, there are a number of unifying trends that are hitting almost everywhere. Yes, the balance between the trends might vary, but each of these is hitting pretty much everywhere to some degree. But if retail is changing, then manufacturers and suppliers (as well as retailers) need to adjust their strategies and plans to address each of the trends, to realize the hu

Retail Trends 100

Retail Trends Fulfillment Advertising Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2023

Another week, and another set of bad financial reports from retailers. Big supermarket chains have been under pressure for some time as e-commerce, discounters and convenience stores and specialists all vie for share. Then inflation hits both store operation costs as well as cash-strapped shoppers. And all this at a time when there is a desire and a need to update and renovate stores, as well as investing in new channels.

Payment Services 100

Payment Services Returns Planning Finance 100

Mike Anthony

MARCH 27, 2023

“How much money should I spend on consumer marketing versus shopper marketing?” It’s a question I’m often asked by clients and at conferences. They question is sometimes phrased differently (“what percentage of my spend should go in-store”; “What is the best split between above-the-line and below-the-line spend?”). The answer is “it depends”: every situation is different.

Marketing 100

Marketing Consumer Target Market Shopping 100

Mike Anthony

DECEMBER 3, 2020

We’ve all been there right? We’re watching the presentation from the agency. The data is new, but the conclusions are either something we’ve seen before, or are so blindingly obvious it barely needed researching. Ever been there? Of course you have! But there is a simple little hack you can use with pretty much any market research data that often uncovers a new insight.

Marketing 130

Marketing Consumer Shopping ATS 130

Mike Anthony

DECEMBER 16, 2020

Many retailers gather data about the people who shop in their stores. A lot of data. Whether it is transaction data from the point of sales (POS data) or data scraped from loyalty card members. And online retailers are collecting even more data, covering every step shoppers make through their sites. There is no doubt that it is potentially valuable.

Returns 130

Returns Point of Sale Planning Consumer 130

Mike Anthony

JANUARY 13, 2021

Apparently, men and women are remarkably similar when it comes to shopping. Apparently that means that we can take a one-size-fits-all approach to how we market to shoppers. Really? If that were true, that would be amazing right? Our lives would be so simple! But before you dust off your beach clothes and plan to take the rest of the year off, maybe you should read the rest of this post first.

Marketing 130

Marketing Target Market Planning Shopping 130

Mike Anthony

FEBRUARY 2, 2021

Most shopper marketers would agree that they strive to create effective activity. Yet what do we mean by effective? Often the measure of effectiveness will be ‘did it grow my sales?’. Whilst this is an admirable goal, is that single measure truly adequate to ascertain whether an activity was effective? Consumer marketers would (typically) set more than one objective for their activity (build loyalty, share, penetration, etc.) so why is this simplistic view of the world still the norm in the worl

Marketing 130

Marketing Planning Management Consumer 130

Mike Anthony

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year (and I know that is sometimes how it has felt!) you will have noticed that consumer and shopper behavior has changed significantly over the last twelve months. One of the challenges we face is to understand which new behaviors will stick, and which will change again, perhaps reverting to the way things were before.

Consumer 130

Consumer Shopping Planning Marketing 130

Mike Anthony

MARCH 9, 2021

The world of the shopper is changing rapidly, and that means that the playing field shopper marketers compete on is changing rapidly too. Shopper marketing forums, web pages and events buzz with the latest technology, heralding yet more ways for marketers to communicate with their targets. But whilst all of this new technology offers new shopper communication opportunities, experience suggests that there is a downside to every opportunity.

Marketing 130

Marketing Shopping Target Market Checkout 130

Mike Anthony

MARCH 17, 2021

Take a look at the displays above. What do they all have in common? Yes, well spotted – they are all significant spirit brands. But that’s not it. And no, they are not all owned by the same company. So what is the connection? They are all a missed opportunity to effectively communicate with shoppers, drive shopper engagement, inspire shoppers , and create longer-term value for the retailer and the manufacturer.

Marketing 130

Marketing Promotions Location Planning 130

Mike Anthony

APRIL 27, 2021

I’m often asked why we need shopper marketing (thankfully less now than before). There are many possible answers. The consumer isn’t always the shopper , for one thing. And even if they are the same, their behavior and responses are different. But here is a difference that you might not have thought about: Shopper marketing exists because shoppers and consumers have fundamentally different relationships with brands.

Consumer 130

Consumer Marketing Shopping Promotions 130

Mike Anthony

DECEMBER 3, 2020

We’ve all been there right? We’re watching the presentation from the agency. The data is new, but the conclusions are either something we’ve seen before, or are so blindingly obvious it barely needed researching. Ever been there? Of course you have! But there is a simple little hack you can use with pretty much any market research data that often uncovers a new insight.

Marketing 130

Marketing Consumer Shopping ATS 130

Mike Anthony

DECEMBER 16, 2020

Many retailers gather data about the people who shop in their stores. A lot of data. Whether it is transaction data from the point of sales (POS data) or data scraped from loyalty card members. And online retailers are collecting even more data, covering every step shoppers make through their sites. There is no doubt that it is potentially valuable.

Returns 130

Returns Point of Sale Planning Consumer 130

Mike Anthony

JANUARY 13, 2021

Apparently, men and women are remarkably similar when it comes to shopping. Apparently that means that we can take a one-size-fits-all approach to how we market to shoppers. Really? If that were true, that would be amazing right? Our lives would be so simple! But before you dust off your beach clothes and plan to take the rest of the year off, maybe you should read the rest of this post first.

Marketing 130

Marketing Target Market Planning Shopping 130

Mike Anthony

FEBRUARY 2, 2021

Most shopper marketers would agree that they strive to create effective activity. Yet what do we mean by effective? Often the measure of effectiveness will be ‘did it grow my sales?’. Whilst this is an admirable goal, is that single measure truly adequate to ascertain whether an activity was effective? Consumer marketers would (typically) set more than one objective for their activity (build loyalty, share, penetration, etc.) so why is this simplistic view of the world still the norm in the worl

Marketing 130

Marketing Planning Management Consumer 130

Mike Anthony

FEBRUARY 24, 2021

Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the past year (and I know that is sometimes how it has felt!) you will have noticed that consumer and shopper behavior has changed significantly over the last twelve months. One of the challenges we face is to understand which new behaviors will stick, and which will change again, perhaps reverting to the way things were before.

Consumer 130

Consumer Shopping Planning Marketing 130

Mike Anthony

MARCH 9, 2021

The world of the shopper is changing rapidly, and that means that the playing field shopper marketers compete on is changing rapidly too. Shopper marketing forums, web pages and events buzz with the latest technology, heralding yet more ways for marketers to communicate with their targets. But whilst all of this new technology offers new shopper communication opportunities, experience suggests that there is a downside to every opportunity.

Marketing 130

Marketing Shopping Target Market Checkout 130

Mike Anthony

MARCH 17, 2021

Take a look at the displays above. What do they all have in common? Yes, well spotted – they are all significant spirit brands. But that’s not it. And no, they are not all owned by the same company. So what is the connection? They are all a missed opportunity to effectively communicate with shoppers, drive shopper engagement, inspire shoppers , and create longer-term value for the retailer and the manufacturer.

Marketing 130

Marketing Promotions Location Planning 130

Mike Anthony

APRIL 27, 2021

I’m often asked why we need shopper marketing (thankfully less now than before). There are many possible answers. The consumer isn’t always the shopper , for one thing. And even if they are the same, their behavior and responses are different. But here is a difference that you might not have thought about: Shopper marketing exists because shoppers and consumers have fundamentally different relationships with brands.

Consumer 130

Consumer Marketing Shopping Promotions 130

Mike Anthony

MAY 4, 2021

What happens when you have a super cool consumer insight, but don’t consider the shopper? Or if you think about the shopper but don’t think about the consumer? A high chance of failure or at best, average. Why? Because we need to win with both consumers and shoppers to be successful. Activating a consumer insight needs more than just a powerful consumer insight!

Consumer 130

Consumer Marketing Spend Marketing Returns 130

Mike Anthony

MAY 25, 2021

If you like retail, especially grocery, you are going to love this! If you have a passion for shopper marketing and shoppers in general, this is going to be fun! And if you work in consumer goods, in marketing, sales or trade marketing – check this out now. Because somewhere in this article is the future of retail. Not everything will stick, but this store is so packed full of great shopper-centric thinking, some of this must be part of what comes next for bricks and mortar grocery retail.

Location 130

Location Marketing Promotions Consumer 130

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Planning 100

Planning Management 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 3, 2018

Coaching is a form of development in which a person called a coach supports a learner or client in achieving a specific personal or professional goal by providing training and guidance.The learner is sometimes called a coachee. Occasionally, coaching may mean an informal relationship between two people, of whom one has more experience and expertise than the other and offers advice and guidance as the latter learns; but coaching differs from mentoring in focusing on specific tasks or objectives,

Management 100

Management Planning 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 18, 2018

A podcast, or generically netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player. It is distinct from Internet radio, which involves streaming rather than downloading.

Consumer 100

Consumer 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 18, 2018

A podcast, or generically netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player. It is distinct from Internet radio, which involves streaming rather than downloading.

Consumer 100

Consumer 100

Mike Anthony

MAY 18, 2018

A podcast, or generically netcast, is an episodic series of digital audio or video files which a user can download and listen to. It is often available for subscription, so that new episodes are automatically downloaded via web syndication to the user’s own local computer, mobile application, or portable media player. It is distinct from Internet radio, which involves streaming rather than downloading.

Consumer 100

Consumer 100

Mike Anthony

SEPTEMBER 6, 2022

We consistently get loads of requests from clients wanting for help with creating shopper insights. And as data becomes more and more available this demand seems to increase. When we speak, they share their frustrations: conducting research only to be disappointed by what the agency presents, and what their team is able to do with the data afterwards.

Consumer 130

Consumer Management ATS Shopping 130

Mike Anthony

JULY 26, 2022

As e-commerce sales eat into physical retail numbers, questions about the viability of offline retail abound. Is this ‘Retail Armageddon’? No – but it is a significant shock to the retail ecosystem. A shock that has implications for retailers and brands alike. There is talk that stores must become ‘experiential’ – but what does that mean? Most shoppers, most of the time, don’t want ‘an experience’ when they shop!

Marketing 264

Marketing Promotions Target Market Shopping 264

Mike Anthony

MAY 15, 2022

Around the world, inflation is rising, putting pressure on the economy, and on consumer and shoppers. As I speak to business leaders of consumer goods companies and retailers alike, it is clear that the challenge of winning with shoppers during this economic uncertainty is now top of mind. And it is a challenge. Shoppers around the world have already become more price sensitive.

Shopping 130

Shopping Consumer Marketing Supermarket 130

Mike Anthony

JUNE 28, 2022

Articles and secondary reports are a critical part of any journey to get a better understanding of shopper behavior. This is true for everyone, but especially true if your shopper research budget is small or non-existent. Many of us have to rely on secondary data, found in reports discovered in our LinkedIn feed. But in my experience, some of what is shared is inaccurate or misleading.

Checkout 130

Checkout Shopping Marketing ATS 130

Mike Anthony

MAY 7, 2022

In the battleground that is retail today , retailers are turning to new (and old) strategies to win. Private label has been around for decades, but in recent times, around the world, I’ve seen a significant rise in the use of private label as a key retail strategy ( check out this recent article about Target as an example ). We are seeing private label being used aggressively comparing prices versus leading brands (see image).

Consumer 246

Consumer Planning Marketing Supermarket 246