Move over Amazon, you’re starting to get some real competition. Retail giants Target and Walmart are starting to truly get their digital act together, offering shoppers a more seamless option to purchase online and pick up in stores, rather than waiting for packages to arrive at their doorstep. Amazon’s certainly not going away any time soon, but other retailers are beginning to not just take notes, but do something to challenge the go to site for e-commerce. Read more

How many online tools do you use each day as a marketing expert? One? Five? Perhaps you use Hootsuite to post your social media and receive analytics. You may use Google Keyword Planner to understand consumer behavior when searching online. There is also Similar Web, Hubspot, Adobe Test & Target, Clickable, Sprout Social, SEO Book, Site Core…the list goes on and on. Read more

Expect more retail vacancy in 2015 as stores are closing up shop to try and bring their P&L sheets back in line. Malls across the US are going to be hit hard with several longtime companies slimming down their brick and mortar operations. Companies like JCPenney, Abercrombie & Fitch, Radio Shack, and Wet Seal are all planning on closings this year according to the Telsey Advisory Group’s recent research report. And this is not a complete list. Read more

The Apple Watch debuts tomorrow in all its glory so of course we’re asking ourselves, “How can this be used for marketing?” While not everyone was pumped for the release of the much awaited watch, others are already scheming about how to make it most useful. Read more

There is a new shift to introduce bold flavors and less sugar in the nutrition bar category. Companies are betting on the consumer’s growing preference for unique and exciting flavors to develop a line of savory bars. These flavors also lend themselves to the smaller meal mindset of today’s consumer, instead of the sweet treat feeling of the usual category offerings. Read more