In this weeks digital news to watch, Consumer group Which? says it’s found evidence of “concerning membership pricing practices” after research has been conducted into retailer loyalty schemes. Exclusive member pricing for loyalty members has been increasingly popular as a promotional mechanism from retailers.But these membership offers including “deals” may not be as good as they appear. Consumers’ sentiments on their personal finances are becoming more positive, while they remain negative on the wider UK economy. Consumers are continuing to feel more confident than they have done for almost two years.
Googles update is showing to favour UGC and bigger brands content. According to a new survey from Aleyda Solis. The survey results show that SEO specialists must adapt to Google’s constantly changing landscape. It’s more important for smaller and mid-sized brands to make sure their content is well optimised.
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Retailers are deploying ‘murky’ loyalty pricing practices, says consumer watchdog
Consumer group Which? says it has found evidence of “concerning membership pricing practices” after conducting research into retailer loyalty schemes. These “dubious” practices mainly involved deals not being “as good as they appear”. Exclusive member pricing for loyalty members has been increasingly popular as a promotional mechanism from retailers. Many of the major supermarkets, including Tesco, Sainsbury’s and Morrisons, as well as other retailers like Boots and Superdrug, use the model. The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is currently reviewing loyalty pricing in the grocery sector. A Which? survey finds over half (55%) of consumers believe non-member prices are higher than the usual selling prices. This may mean the member savings appear better than they actually are. The consumer group launched research into how loyalty pricing is operating.
Consumers show sharp contrast between views on personal versus national finances
Consumers’ sentiments on their personal finances are becoming more positive, while they remain negative on the wider UK economy, presenting an overall mixed picture in August’s GfK Consumer Confidence Index. The headline figure for August is unchanged from last month at -13. July’s overall consumer confidence figure was at the highest level since September 2021, meaning consumers are continuing to feel more confident than they have done for almost two years. The figures demonstrate a contrast between how consumers feel about their personal situations versus the wider outlook.
Google may now use OG title for title links
Google updated its search documentation to reserve the right to use the OG title meta data for your title link in the search engine results page. The OG title is the title of your object as it should appear within the open graph. Content in og:title meta tags may be pulled into the SERP, so it’s worth making sure these are optimised and relevant to the page’s content. There are 9 sources in total that Google may use to decide which title link to use in search result listings. The recommendation is to make sure that sites match the title HTML element to their OG:title.
A new survey from Aleyda Solis has found that Google’s favouritism of certain types of websites is the biggest threat to SEO.
Google’s new update is favouring certain types of sites (e.g. User-generated content, big brands). Is shown to be the biggest threat to SEO consulting efforts. According to 52% of survey respondents. Google is favouring its own features and services is seen to be the second biggest threat (48%). And AI overviews was the third biggest threat (41%). SEO specialists must adapt to Google’s constantly changing landscape, and it’s more important than ever for smaller and mid-sized brands to make sure their content is well optimised.
UK shop prices fall year on year for first time since cost of living crisis began
UK shop prices have fallen for the first time since the cost of living crisis began nearly three years ago, driven by easing food inflation and retailer discounts on unsold summer stock. Prices dropped by 0.3% in early August compared to the previous year, marking the first period of deflation since October 2021. Non-food items, particularly clothing, footwear, and electronics, saw significant discounts as retailers faced a tough summer with poor weather and cautious consumer spending. While food prices rose by 2% in August, this was the slowest increase since November 2021. The British Retail Consortium warns that future price rises are still possible due to global factors.
How CTV Fits Into Digital Marketing During Holiday Season
Holiday season planning has evolved, with brands extending and blending holidays to maximise sales opportunities. This year, a shorter season puts additional pressure on retailers to act quickly.
Key trends include:
- Late Thanksgiving (Black Friday for us in the UK): Falling later in November, Thanksgiving shortens the shopping period between Cyber 5 and the year’s end, increasing urgency for brands.
- Retail Sales Growth: Despite cautious consumer spending, holiday retail sales are projected to rise by 4.8%, up from 3.9% in 2023.
- Spending Priorities: Shoppers will focus more on fashion, with less demand for electronics as post-pandemic urgency wanes.
- Connected TV (CTV): Consumers are expected to spend more time on CTV, shoppable ads are becoming essential for holiday shopping.
- Early and Selective Shopping: Consumers are more selective, with many starting their holiday shopping early to avoid rushed decisions. Over 60% have abandoned purchases due to overwhelming choices, highlighting the need for clear, simple shopping experiences.
Retailers must navigate these trends to capitalise on the shorter, more competitive holiday season.
For more information on any of these stories, or for support with your digital marketing – whether you’d like to increase your brand awareness through Digital PR, or if you’d like increase reaching your audience through SEO Marketing, get in touch with our team. Send us an email to team@modo25.com
