How will the Euros impact your business this Summer?

Euro fever is certainly gripping the nation. With much controversy already taking up headline space regarding Southgate’s team selection. Has our time finally come to bring it home? Either way there will be major implications for your business. If you’d like a break from election chat dive into our latest blog where we discuss the highs and lows for businesses during the Euros.

 The UEFA European Championship (Euros) can have a significant impact on businesses across various sectors. Here’s some of the ways we think the Euros are going influence consumer and business behaviour this Summer.

Increased Consumer Spending: Events like the Euros often lead to a surge in consumer spending, particularly in sectors such as food and beverages, sports merchandise, and electronics (e.g., TVs). Businesses in these areas might see a boost in sales.

Marketing and Advertising Opportunities: The Euros provide a prime opportunity for targeted marketing campaigns. Businesses can capitalise on the heightened interest in the tournament by launching special promotions, themed advertising, and partnerships with sports figures or teams.

Hospitality and Tourism Boost: If your business operates in the hospitality or tourism sector, you might experience increased demand.

Employee Engagement: The excitement around the Euros can be leveraged to boost employee morale and engagement. Hosting viewing parties, organising office pools, or incorporating the event into team-building activities can create a positive work environment.

Retail and E-commerce Surge: Online and offline retailers selling sports gear, memorabilia, and related products can expect a spike in sales. E-commerce platforms, in particular, can benefit from targeted promotions and seamless customer experiences.

Impact on Productivity: On the flip side, businesses might face challenges with decreased productivity, especially if employees are distracted by matches during work hours. It’s important to find a balance to maintain productivity while allowing employees to enjoy the event.

Social Media Engagement: The Euros are a hot topic on social media. Businesses can engage with their audience by creating relevant content, running social media campaigns, and participating in conversations about the tournament.

Local Community Involvement: If your business is community-focused, organising or sponsoring local events related to the Euros can strengthen community ties and enhance your local presence.

Economic Impact: On a broader scale, the Euros can stimulate the economy, benefiting various sectors and potentially creating a more favourable business environment. Increased consumer confidence and spending can have positive ripple effects.

 In summary, the Euros present numerous opportunities for businesses to increase sales, engage with customers, and enhance their brand. By strategically leveraging this event, your business can benefit from the excitement and economic activity generated by one of the world’s biggest sporting events

If you’d like to have a chat with Icon about the Euros and how it will impact your business or all things marketing feel free to get in touch kiesha@iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk

The Transformative Impact of Artificial Intelligence on Our Lives and Businesses

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is no longer a futuristic concept confined to science fiction. It has become an integral part of our daily lives and business operations, revolutionising various sectors and reshaping the way we interact with technology. From enhancing personal convenience to driving business innovation, AI's transformative impact is profound and far-reaching. In this blog, we'll explore how AI is changing our world and look at what the future might hold.

AI in Daily Life

1. Personal Assistants

AI-powered personal assistants like Siri, Alexa, and Google Assistant have become household names. These virtual assistants use natural language processing to understand and respond to our commands, making everyday tasks like setting reminders, playing music, and controlling smart home devices effortless. Their ability to learn from our interactions ensures they become more intuitive and useful over time.

2. Personalised Recommendations

Ever wondered how Netflix knows what you might want to watch next or how Amazon suggests products you might be interested in? AI algorithms analyse your behaviour, preferences, and past interactions to offer personalised recommendations. This not only enhances user experience but also drives engagement and sales.

3. Health and Fitness

AI is playing a crucial role in transforming health and fitness. Wearable devices and mobile apps powered by AI can monitor vital signs, track physical activity, and even provide personalised health insights. Additionally, AI-driven diagnostic tools are improving the accuracy of medical diagnoses, enabling early detection and better treatment outcomes.

But where we’re really seeing great strides is AI in Business. From number crunching to aid decision making to improving efficiency we’re beginning to wonder if there is any limits to the ability of AI. Read on to find out how AI can help your business.

1. Enhanced Customer Service

AI chatbots and virtual assistants are revolutionising customer service by providing instant, 24/7 support. These AI systems can handle a wide range of queries, resolve issues quickly, and even predict customer needs by analysing past interactions. This leads to improved customer satisfaction and reduces the workload on human agents.

2. Data-Driven Decision Making

Businesses generate vast amounts of data daily. AI helps in analysing this data to extract meaningful insights, identify trends, and make informed decisions. Predictive analytics powered by AI can forecast market trends, customer behaviour, and operational inefficiencies, enabling businesses to stay ahead of the competition.

3. Automation and Efficiency

AI-driven automation is streamlining business processes, reducing operational costs, and increasing efficiency. From automating routine tasks like data entry and invoicing to managing complex supply chains, AI is enabling businesses to operate more smoothly and effectively. This allows human employees to focus on more strategic, creative tasks that add greater value.

4. Innovation and Product Development

AI is a catalyst for innovation, helping businesses develop new products and services. By analysing market data and customer feedback, AI can identify gaps and opportunities, leading to the creation of products that better meet consumer needs. In industries like pharmaceuticals, AI is accelerating drug discovery and development, potentially saving lives and reducing costs.

The Future of AI

As AI technology continues to advance, its impact will only grow. Here are some trends to watch for:

·       AI and Ethics: As AI becomes more integrated into our lives, ethical considerations such as privacy, bias, and accountability will become increasingly important. Developing frameworks to ensure ethical AI use will be crucial.

·       AI in Education: Personalised learning experiences powered by AI can adapt to individual student needs, making education more effective and accessible.

·       AI in Smart Cities: AI will play a key role in developing smart cities, optimizing everything from traffic management and energy consumption to public safety and environmental sustainability.

·       AI and the Workforce: While AI will automate many jobs, it will also create new opportunities. Reskilling and upskilling the workforce will be essential to leverage the full potential of AI.

Artificial Intelligence is not just a technological advancement; it's a transformative force that is reshaping our lives and businesses. From enhancing personal convenience to driving business innovation, AI's impact is profound and multifaceted. As we continue to explore and harness its potential, AI promises to unlock new possibilities and create a future that is more efficient, personalised, and interconnected.

Stay ahead of the curve by embracing AI and preparing for a future where intelligent machines and humans work together to achieve greater heights. If you’d like to talk to an old fashioned human about AI, your marketing efforts or anything else our Managing Director Kiesha would love to hear from you, feel free to reach out 07979 940526 kiesha@iconmarketingcommunications.co.uk.

Black Friday: Cannibalisation or Propagation?

I worked in marketing for a leading hospitality business for many years so Black Friday is a term that I have been familiar with for some time. Back then it was an industry term to describe the last Friday before Christmas when typically, we would see the most Christmas party bookings. Since then, much like Halloween and Baby Showers we have taken the lead from our American counterparts. Black Friday has become a day when retailers heavily discount their products to encourage consumers to purchase, giving businesses a much needed pre-Christmas boost. We’ve even gone one step further with Cyber Monday. But does Black Friday actually boost businesses sales or are we simply cannibalising existing sales? In my latest blog I’ll take a look at the benefits of Black Friday vs the potential pitfalls.

Black Friday this year will fall on Friday the 26th of November. So, if you’re looking to capitalise on this day, you’ve not got much time to get your ducks lined up. Last year we spent an estimated £6 billion on Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Forecasts suggest that this year spending will be down by 6% with the average Brit set to spend £275 (finder.com). So why the sudden downturn in projected sales? The easing of lockdown and vaccine rollout may hold the key to the predicted decline in sales. With life almost returning to pre-pandemic status consumers have more demands on their income. Money is getting spent on socialising, commuting and non-essentials. Concerns over supply chains may also have some bearing on consumer behaviour this year.

So, what does this all mean for your business should you engage in Black Friday promotions or hold your nerve and maintain your retail prices. Black Friday has many pros and cons.

Pros

1.      An increase in traffic and sales

Consumers have become savvier due to Black Friday and Cyber Monday and are actively seeking out bargains during this period. Black Friday and Cyber Monday focuses shoppers on a set period of time meaning more sales and traffic for your business.

2.      A chance to offload stock prior to Christmas

Black Friday is a great opportunity to clear older stock and introduce new lines prior to the Christmas rush. This is particularly key if your business is in electronics or fashion.

3.      New customer attainment

Finding new customers can be tricky and costly. Black Friday and Cyber Monday give you an opportunity to get in front of new customers who you can then retain if their experience is positive then they will come back to you.

4.      Incremental sales

Customers are well trained and are keen to purchase around Black Friday. They may be attracted to your business due to discounts however they may go on to purchase full price items.

5.      Fulfilment of orders prior to Christmas

With ongoing issues with delivery getting sales in early may prove beneficial to retailers as you can ensure customers receive their items in good time prior to Christmas.

Cons

1.      Pressure to discount

As I’ve already mentioned customers have grown to expect discounts around Black Friday and Cyber Monday. This may be difficult for some retailers to achieve.

2.      Negative impact on sales margins

Although sales are likely to go up, profits will go down. You need to consider whether offering discounts is actually commercially viable. If not then you may wish to withdraw from offering deductions however, will your competitors be offering a promotion?

3.      Increase in returns

Black Friday can encourage impulse purchases, the problem is whether customers will then return the items.

4.      Overcrowded competitive marketplace

Lots of retailers will be talking about Black Friday so getting your voice heard above all your competition can be problematic.

5.      Delayed sales as customers are waiting for discounts

We’ve all grown to expect discount around Black Friday so teasing customers to purchase outside of this period will be tough. Its likely that you will see a drop in sales running up to Black Friday which will have a negative influence on your bottom line.

The Black Friday and Cyber Monday phenomenon looks like its here to stay despite the difficulties it poses to retailers. Its important to consider all the pros and cons before embarking on discounting your products. The impact on margins is easier for a larger retailer to absorb but for smaller businesses it may prove challenging. But equally the opportunity to acquire new customers during this period is beneficial. The key to success is ensuring that promotions are carefully managed to ensure that margins are protected whilst taking advantage of the increase in customers looking for a bargain.

If you’d like to talk to me about your marketing prior to the run up to Christmas or anything else, feel free to get in touch kiesha@iconmarketingcomunications.co.uk 07979940526.