Category Archives: Branding

It’s magical

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Disney storefront

It had been some time since I had visited a Disney Store so when I passed by one the other day I had to stop in.

I wandered through the store checking out how the Star Wars brand has been woven into the Disney merchandising, listening in on customer interactions and observing the joy that the customers exhibited in visiting a little slice of the happiest place on Earth.  Finally, I ended my explorations at the back of the store drawn towards a small crowd gathered there.  There were a dozen people around plush mountain watching the video wall on the back of the store.

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Kudos to Freddy’s

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I lived most of my life in the Midwest. So when I finally caught up with some friends by moving to the PNW, they excitedly shared their love for Fred Meyer, a regional chain owned by Kroger.  There are amazing places similar to  SuperTarget or Walmart Supercenters.  But truth be told, I really never became a regular customer.

But on our recent road trip, we stopped at a Fred Meyer for some supplies and I was reminded of one thing that I, even someone who has never had children, appreciate in the larger Fred Meyer stores, Freddy’s Playland.

Freddy’s Playland is a drop-off day care offering an hour of free care for children 2 to 5 while their parent(s) do their shopping.  What a great service and something that keeps Fred Meyer customers loyal.  Kudos.

Wrong Audience?

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Walking past Sears today and their front of store display caught my eye.  The store in our local mall typically features a Lands End display, so this was not out of the ordinary.  What took me by surprise was the marketing of Lands’ End clothing to “spring breakers.”

One I think of spring breakers, I do not think of college students drinking and partying in clothing from Lands’ End.  The map features the apparent route one would take from Dodgeville, WI, the headquarters of Lands’ End and Daytona Beach, one of the college hotspots. Maybe if the marketing spoke of spring vacation with the kids and the map destination was Disney, it may be more on target.

Grabbing their attention.

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Door handles of the DQ Grill & Chill in Bend, OR

Door handles of the DQ Grill & Chill in Bend, OR

Almost as iconic as the trademarked curl on the top of their cones is Dairy Queen’s red spoon.

It is a stroke of branding genius that DQ restaurants are beginning to adorn their stores with oversized red spoon as door pulls.   This photo was taken last weekend in Bend OR.  I always appreciate themed door pulls at specialty stores.  The pulls are a great way to create a positive customer impression!

You do not have to take my word for it.  The red spoon door pulls were featured in LockNet, the website about doors and locks for businesses. See link below.

http://www.locknet.com/lockbytes/custom-door-hardware-boosting-your-brand/

 

 

Kit and Ace – a closure with class

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Version 2

Unlike the “For Lease” sign from the landlord or a hastily scribbled note taped to the door, when Kit and Ace closed their pop-up shop in Portland they left a strong message.  On the shop window was a professionally printed poster with the message that they had accomplished their mission.  During their short lease, they connected with the community, tested things out, collected feedback and hoped to stay in touch, for now, through their website.  Nicely done.

Retail @ PDX

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I had the opportunity to drive out to the Portland International Airport (PDX) on the December 31st to pick up my wife returning from Vancouver, BC.  Many people dread a trip to an airport particularly if they are not taking off to some exotic place and I would generally consider myself one of those.  I have done enough travel in my time to generally dislike most airports.

But not PDX.  Those of you that have had a chance to use PDX know that it is a pleasant airport with decent parking, a manageable size, quick & friendly TSA security and operated efficiently; all of which adds up to make PDX a great airport.  But you do not have to take my word for it.  Travel & Leisure magazine has named Portland’s airport “The Best Domestic Airport” for four years running and Conde Nast ranked PDX the second best airport for 2016 recognizing it for its local shops.

While in the car, I was listening to Oregon Public Broadcasting that was featuring authors talking about the first adult book the read when they were young that influenced them as a writers today.  One of the interviewed named The Heart is a Lonely Hunter as being most influential to her.  After describing the book, I decided that I would have to get ahold of the book and read it.  Which brings me to the focus of this post.

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End of an Era

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I took the opportunity to wander through Holiday Land at Macy’s in downtown Portland last week.  This particular Macy’s store is closing in the coming months; the building started as a Meier and Frank’s in 1909.

As I watched the children anxiously waiting to visit with Santa, I could not help but think of the countless other children who made Macy’s a family tradition for Christmas that will soon only be a memory.

Here is a little homage to the store and its logo.