While there’s no denying that print is on the rise, many still think of printed collateral as a static medium. Although there may be some truth to this sentiment when looking at a wide swath of catalogs, it’s by no means an unbreakable rule. Whether to pinpoint a certain demographic, create more opportunities to disrupt in the mail, or to invest in a piece that consumers will want to not only engage with, but that will help to further your brands tangibility and relevance – changing the design of your next book to include moments of direct interaction with customers is a must. The best, and perhaps most daunting, part of creating interactive catalogs and mailers is that the sky really is the limit. Some examples you’ll see are as easy as changing a design layout, others involve new exciting formats, and still more come from thinking completely outside the box and reimagining what a piece of printed advertising can be and do. No idea is too big or too small, so let’s start exploring! much more at: https://www.jschmid.com/blog/disruptive-catalogs-part-5/

2021 is a perfect storm providing four challenges: *Paper: inventory is limited, prices continue to rise; *Postage: Mismanagement at the USPS continues to drive annual increases; *PPC Inflation: privacy and competition are driving cost upward; *Pandemic: while consumer confidence is still high, fears of inflation loom large. However, even the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse can’t kill print as the channel is currently booming – driving top-of-funnel opportunities, retargeting efforts, and creating more powerful and cost-effective prospecting audiences. Instead of waiting for customers or prospects to come to your site, print creates push campaigns that are highly profitable and cost-effective. Print marketing is still entirely relevant, even in this digital era, and smart marketers take advantage of this form of communication and the power it has with the human brain. Yes, the way we consume and share news and information has changed dramatically in the last 10 years alone. And, yes, digital marketing has in the recent past taken the limelight from traditional print media. read more at: https://cohereone.com/beware-the-four-horseman-of-the-apocalypse/

Walmart Inc. continues expanding its infrastructure to support timely delivery of online orders. The discount giant plans to open a new fulfillment center in Kings Mountain, N.C. Walmart expects the estimated $300 million investment to create more than 300 new jobs in Gaston County, N.C.  The 1.2 million–square-foot facility is slated to open in 2027 and will ship large items such as patio furniture and lawnmowers directly to customers as soon as next-day. “As our e-commerce business continues to grow, this new fulfillment center will play a critical role in helping us serve customers faster,” said Karisa Sprague, senior vice president, supply chain, Walmart U.S.