Packaging

Nielsen knows what makes brand marketing effective and now the company is applying its consumer communications expertise to the world of packaging.

Nielsen Design Navigator is the name of a new creative enablement tool the company contends helps marketers improve the in-market effectiveness of package design.

Nielsen is known as a leader in marketing effectiveness, innovation forecasting and in-market success but the introduction of the Design Navigator is new territory. Why the company has made the move is understandable.

New York -- The world’s largest online retailer will soon be driving around and selling product out of a truck — a truck that looks like a giant Amazon package.

Staples is getting an early start on back-to-school season with the debut of new products and promotions.

The retailer wants to help parents get their kids ready for the new school year with the hottest trends ranging from the latest graphic or camouflage patterns in new colors, to products that provide a life-changing impact or exclusive products that were designed with the help of students.

Edison, N.J. - Consumers are turning to user-generated social media images and videos to help them make purchasing decisions. According to a new study of more than 500 online shoppers from Dotcom Distribution, more than half of respondents (54%) have used social media to find photos or videos of a product they were thinking of buying within the past year.

Bentonville, Ark. – Wal-Mart Stores Inc. will no longer sell merchandise featuring the Confederate flag in its stores or online. The retailer is removing the flag, long a source of controversy due to its connections to slavery and use as a symbol by white supremacists, in the wake of a racially-motivated mass shooting at a historically black Charleston, South Carolina church.

It doesn't really matter whether shoppers are familiar with hoops star Emmanuel Mudiay yet, because Foot Locker is launching a campaign that explains everything.

The specialty athletic retailer has launched a YouTube video campaign called "Life Changes After the Draft" – a series of four, 15-second commercials with Under Armour featuring top-NBA Draft prospect Emmanuel Mudiay.

T.J.Maxx has come up with a creative way to encourage shoppers to support children in need.

The retailer is launching the "Maxx Kids Art Contest" to support organizations that help children in need reach their full potential, such as Save the Children. Winning artwork will appear on future products sold in T.J.Maxx stores that will benefit children in need. In addition, all winners will receive a $250 savings bond.

Ace Hardware wants shoppers to think summer paint projects by introducing a new curated color palette for the warmest season of the year.

Ace's Design Experts have curated a paaint color palette for summer 2015 using colors from the Clark+Kensington paint+primer in one collection.

Featuring hues reminiscent of long summer days and seaside vacations, the colors range from vibrant and bold to grounding neutrals.