FTC Proposes New Restrictions On Behavioral Advertising To Children (mediapost.com)

They’re like a frustrating older sibling. They get all the attention, and they get away with pretty much everything. They’re incredibly well-liked, and it seems like everyone aspires to be them. And regardless of how you feel about them, Patagonia is one of the most impressive brands out there. Why? Because they do so many things that other brands don’t. Maybe you’re thinking, “Well, our brand doesn’t sell outdoor adventure apparel, so we don’t really care what Patagonia’s doing.” But if that’s your philosophy, I challenge you to think of it this way: When their polarizing campaigns, beautifully designed catalogs and killer social media efforts drive consumers to drop $800 on a parka, guess who Patagonia is taking attention (and dollars) away from? You. see more at: https://www.jschmid.com/blog/why-youre-not-patagonia-2/

It’s been a seven-decade-long run, but Ikea is formally saying goodbye to its printed catalog. The decision was announced Monday (Dec. 7) as the Ikea brand continues to shift itself to digital, according to published reports. At a peak four years ago, Ikea distributed 200 million catalogs worldwide in 32 languages. The BBC once reported that the Ikea catalog was the world’s largest publication, with more copies printed than either the Bible or the Quran. Of course, it’s not surprising that a retailer looking to focus on digital is exiting print. The same trend has been underway for the past decade or so in mass-market publishing. Print runs of books, newspapers and magazines have been more or less continuously on the decline as consumer preference for digitized content grows in the mobile era. What’s perhaps eye-catching in Ikea’s case and for the world of catalog publishing in general is how inconsistent that pullback actually seems to be when one looks at retail. For every Ikea that pulls out of the printed-catalog business, there seems to be a digital brand that’s pushing forward with a new physical catalog all its own. click read more below for the full article

In February, there was significant growth in online activity, with sessions up by 12% year-over-year (YOY), indicating increased traffic to the platform. Additionally, orders surged by 19% YOY, reflecting a substantial rise in purchases made through the website or service. Moreover, demand saw a remarkable increase of 23% YOY, indicating heightened interest and consumer engagement with the products or services offered. With February coinciding with the start of tax season in many regions, the surge in online activity towards the end of February may also be attributed to consumers seeking everyday purchases, paying off debt, home improvement and vacations. This presents an opportunity for targeted marketing efforts tailored towards addressing tax-related needs and offering relevant solutions. Leveraging this seasonal trend, businesses can further capitalize on the increased demand and drive engagement through strategic promotions and messaging.