An American alcoholic juice, some typically British humor, a touch of Japanese ingenuity, the latest German e-commerce player, and a European expansion. Explore our bite-sized take on the world of business this week.
Launching – and laughing – in a lockdown
Timing, as they say, is everything – and when circumstances change, sometimes you have to abandon everything you had planned. However, vegan brand Emily Snacks1 decided that rather than wasting their first-ever outdoor advertising campaign during the COVID-19 lockdown, they’d try and stay positive, and use it to highlight the unfortunate nature of the situation. Find out more on staying positive during these times in our article here.
Seen (or not, as the case may be) all over London, they used new lines such as “Our first ever poster, seen by a runner and one pigeon. Typical”, and “Hmmm… maybe we should have made a TV ad instead”. Striking a chord with people who saw the creative use of space online, and offering a different perspective on the situation, the company are hoping it’ll make a good marketing campaign that will help people remember them, and pick up a pack or two once all this is over.
Pulp Culture launch alcoholic raw juices
Wild-fermented, containing six billion probiotics, and with zero sugar – Pulp Culture's new addition to the hard pressed juice sector is aiming to capture the imaginations (and the cash) of Americans looking to make more health-conscious decisions.
While it’s debatable whether alcohol can be good for you, Pulp Culture2 co-creators Brendan Brazier and Mark McTavish have focused the new product range, which contains four different juices, on people who want to unwind while keeping up their health goals. With global e-commerce habits changing all the time, shifting priorities amongst customers could see the drink become a success – if people get a taste for it, that is.
Japanese manufacturers making hygiene a priority
In the wake of COVID-19, small businesses in Japan are redirecting manufacturing efforts to create products that reflect the changing priorities of shoppers. One such example is Tokyo-based Tamurako3, which specialises in leather jackets and accessory cases. Its latest innovation is a pocket-sized leather strap, designed to attached to handles on buses and trains so that people can keep their hands off the surfaces.
As Asia begins to open back up for business, all eyes are on the region to see what’s changed, and how it will affect shoppers. Our report on Chinese shopping habits reveals what the world can learn from how customers here have reacted.
A new player in the German e-commerce market
Just four weeks after its launch, Shopdaheim4 is generating six-figure clicks – and has recruited almost 10,000 sellers from 41 different industries, according to reoprts. Offering stationary retailers the chance to register free of charge, and show where their shops are, it allows customers to filter by locality to support local businesses – which, in the time of COVID-19, many are keen to do.
If you’re planning on selling online during the pandemic, we’ve got some advice that might help. Check out our top tips for your web store here.
Vibepay makes payments available to businesses
After recently raising €1.4m – to take its total investment to €7.2m – UK-based payment platform Vibepay has opened up its APIs for bank-to-bank payments and subscriptions6. The move means retailers, SMEs and e-tailers can process their checkout and subscription payments online, with the aim of reducing “friction, fees and frustration”, according to the company. Find out more on the subscription economy in our article here.
Already approved in Germany, France, the Netherlands and Luxembourg, the plan is to start implementing banks into the Vibe Banking Gateway, with the company predicted to process over €11m in the next quarter.
References:
