2024 has finally come to an end. Yes, we can’t believe it either. We are a few hours away from entering 2025 and we wanted to do a short wrap-up and show you what happened last year in the retail and in-store marketing world.
We’ve extracted a few pieces of important news, expert opinions, and campaigns that we shared in our Monthly Snack throughout the year. Let’s check them out!
Top campaigns in 2024
Revolutionizing In-store marketing (Special mention): PepsiCo has revolutionized in-store marketing in Pakistan with an innovative gondola display featuring Tokinomo’s Shelfobot technology. This interactive setup combined motion, sound, and light effects to showcase chilled beverages, creating a dynamic and engaging shopping experience.
The campaign, executed with Glob Linq, included eye-catching elements like a "dancing can" with smoke effects, drawing attention to Pepsi Zero Sugar and boosting customer engagement. By blending creativity and cutting-edge technology, PepsiCo has set a new benchmark for in-store marketing, inspiring other brands to explore interactive displays at the point of sale.
Santa’s Break (Monthly Snacks #98):
KitKat’s holiday campaign adds humor to tradition by portraying Santa lounging on a family’s couch, indulging in a KitKat Santa they’d left for him. The playful ad captures the family’s astonishment as Santa casually requests a milk refill, showcasing the brand’s knack for blending seasonal charm with light-hearted storytelling.
Chilled for Eternity (Monthly Snacks #96):
Liquid Death, known for its bold and unconventional campaigns, teams up with Yeti to launch a limited-edition casket cooler. This quirky product is both functional and eye-catching, allowing consumers to bid for a chance to own this unique blend of dark humor and practical design. It’s a standout example of how brands can use creativity to generate buzz and intrigue.
Retail technology that changed the game this year
Digital Screens (Monthly Snacks #98):
Redner's Markets enhances its in-store experience with digital screens powered by Grocery TV. These screens are strategically placed at entrances and checkouts to deliver targeted promotions, such as curbside pickup services and HealthCents programs. This modernization also generates ad revenue, integrating Redner’s stores into a national network of over 5,000 locations.
RFID for Fresh Departments (Monthly Snacks #97):
Kroger partners with Avery Dennison to introduce RFID technology in its bakery department. This initiative improves inventory accuracy, reduces waste, and ensures that fresh products are always available for shoppers. It’s part of a broader trend where grocers are adopting automation to enhance operational efficiency.
Last-Mile Technology (Weekly Snacks #90):
Amazon expands the focus of its $1 billion Industrial Innovation Fund to include last-mile delivery and autonomous vehicle startups. This shift aims to enhance Amazon’s logistics network, ensuring faster, more efficient
Opinions shared by experts in 2024
Shorter Holiday Season (Monthly Snacks #98):
Neil Saunders notes that the shortened 27-day window between Thanksgiving and Christmas is driving earlier holiday promotions and sales. Retailers are also facing logistical challenges, such as managing shipping demand and meeting customer expectations for speed and convenience.
Grocery Price Wars (Monthly Snacks #97):
Lisa Goller highlights the competitive strategies of grocers like Walmart, Kroger, and ALDI, who are cutting prices on essential items to attract cost-conscious shoppers. Amazon has joined the battle with its "Saver" brand, emphasizing affordability and using advanced technology like electronic shelf labels to optimize pricing.
Customer Loyalty Programs (Monthly Snacks #95):
Clay Parnell discusses how AI-driven loyalty programs are transforming retail by offering personalized promotions and data-based customer insights. Despite challenges in data utilization, loyalty programs remain a key tool for retailers to retain customers and drive engagement, especially during competitive periods.
Best Retail Statistics you need to know
Private Brand Penetration (Monthly Snacks #98):
The average private brand penetration in food is about 22% in the U.S., compared to 30%-35% in Europe. This highlights significant growth potential for U.S. grocers, especially as 80% of consumers plan to reduce spending this holiday season. Private labels provide a cost-effective way to drive customer loyalty and capture more wallet share.
Phygital Shopping Preferences (Monthly Snacks #95):
80% of U.S. consumers prefer a blend of physical and digital shopping experiences (phygital). This approach includes using kiosks, mobile apps, and digital payments, showcasing how the integration of technology with in-store experiences is reshaping consumer behavior.
Personalization Expectations (Monthly Snacks #96):
Nearly 70% of shoppers prefer retailers that offer personalized experiences across all channels, but only one-third of retailers are meeting this demand. Luxury brands lead in personalization, highlighting a growing expectation for tailored interactions.
News that shaped the retail world
Thanksgiving Offers (Monthly Snacks #98):
Grocers like Lidl and Target are offering discounted turkey prices to draw in holiday shoppers, while Walmart’s "inflation-free" promotion continues through December. These deals reflect retailers’ efforts to support inflation-conscious consumers during the holiday season.
Rise of Retail Media (Monthly Snacks #96):
Retail media networks are gaining traction as grocers use tools like sampling kiosks, smart carts, and digital end caps to capture data and measure ad performance. This trend helps mid-market grocers attract CPG brands and improve in-store shopper engagement.
Pandemic’s Impact (Weekly Snacks #89):
The shift to hybrid work environments has reshaped shopping patterns, with consumers favoring local stores and e-commerce. Omnichannel services like curbside pickup remain popular, while inventory management challenges persist, prompting retailers to adopt AI-driven solutions.
Looking forward to an amazing new year!
That’s all for this year! We hope you enjoyed the campaigns, kept up with all the news, and saw all of the tech innovations in retail.
We wish you an amazing new year and don’t forget to take your monthly retail snacks from Tokinomo in 2025.
