ICSC: Consumers heading to stores for back-to-school shopping

The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) – committed to protecting the world’s forests through sustainable forestry – is calling brands and consumers around the world to amplify the voice of forests. From September 23-29, the Forest Week campaign will empower individuals and businesses to help safeguard the world’s forests, and those that depend on them, by making positive shopping choices. This year’s theme, Trust the Tree, will highlight the key role forests play in fighting the climate and biodiversity crises. Forests sustain us, and sustainably sourced forest products can help ensure resilient, thriving forests for all, forever. Renowned global brands and retailers will partner with FSC, posting daily content across leading social platforms for the seven days of the campaign.

Following a competitive RFP process that began last fall, snack food and candy giant Mars Inc. has appointed Publicis to lead its media, production, paid social and influencer and connected commerce capabilities. …

Retail print catalogs have often struggled at the expense of digital or online catalogs. As with so many aspects of our lives, the pandemic is causing change and lockdowns are proving that print is still very much a contender. It’s not hard to see why so many catalogs have transferred online. Digital does away with expensive printing and delivery charges and there’s no pulping of old catalogs or waiting around for new ones to be printed. The analytics associated with digital are now incredibly powerful, making it easy to collect large volumes of detailed data on user behaviors. An online catalog is a powerful package, so why is print making a comeback? With another national lockdown upon us, people are being forced to spend a huge proportion of their time at home and home is where print catalogs score. Recent research by Royal Mail revealed that 88% of people surveyed said they paid as much or more attention to mail during lockdown. This means leaflets and catalogs are far less likely to be dumped straight in the trash.