“Obviously, a two to ten fold increase in speed is a big difference, but Leitersdorf notes that the more complex a page is, the higher the magnitude of optimization will be. This optimization occurs across HTTP, HTML, JavaScript, CSS and images on a page, to achieve the results.”

Since they’re still being secretive, we don’t yet know if their techniques will work with HTML 5 content or Flash. Or, of course, if it’s just snake oil.

If this works for shoes, isn’t it likely to also be good for nutrition?

Progressive Grocer’s Editor’s Note: Wave of the Future

From the article:

What’s more, Hershey tested the idea of museum sleepover out on an exclusive group of “mom bloggers” and their kids, thereby not only getting advance reaction to the promotion, but also making sure the word got out via the World Wide Web.

Campbells is also enhancing their “Labels For Education” program, automatically posting points when the consumer buys  qualifying products using their shoppers card.

The initiative, which was tested at Kroger stores, allows shoppers to register online and accumulate points in their e-Labels account automatically when they use a shopper’s card to buy a qualifying LFE item.

That bodes well for the potential of integration projects that are dependent on supermarket purchase data. The technology to make this work came from YOU Technologies, the S&H Greenpoints folks.

As popular as the iPhone is, it’s not the only means of receiving mobile coupons; many applications are device-independent and will run on any cell phone. By 2013, over 200 million people will receive and redeem such coupons via cell phones worldwide, according to a new study by Juniper Research.

Currently, “mobile” coupons are most prevalent in Japan and Korea. However, growing numbers of cell phone coupon services are offered in the United States and Europe across all retail sectors, including grocery, restaurants, entertainment and other shopping, the study said.

Western Europe and North America will account for almost 20 percent of coupon redemption by 2013, the study’s author, Howard Wilcox, said.

“Today, the overwhelming majority of coupons are paper-based, but the mobile phone is the ultimate individual marketing device, and mobile coupon pilots show greatly increased redemption rates, often double digit percentages,” Wilcox said.

The report from U.K.-based Juniper Research highlighted the increased benefit in user convenience and the greater efficiencies for companies operating cell phone coupon campaigns as the two key benefits for adoption of promotional coupons on the mobile platform. Some significant hurdles were identified, however, including lack of suitable point-of-sale infrastructure at the supermarket checkout allowing for the quick and easy redemption of coupons, which is critical to the customer shopping experience.

Technology is also a factor since most cell phone coupons today are delivered by a code, usually a bar code and SMS. In the future, the report says, Near Field Communications (NFC) will become popular in this application.

As we continue on with Food Allergy Awareness Week, studies are finding that fruit and vegetable allergies are surpassing peanut allergies.  This may come as a surprise to most.  Parents who have children with food allergies will tell you they are always on the guard about their children and coming in contact with peanuts.  Experts are now finding oral allergies to fruits and vegetables are increasing rapidly.  In the U.S. it is estimated that approximately 55 percent of the population test positive to one or more allergies.

Very interesting passage:

What is causing this sudden increase?  There are quite a bit of other theories.  One being, there are more Genetically Modified (GMO) foods on our supermarket shelves.  The growing concern lies in introducing foreign genes to the foods.  This alteration in the food may cause a reaction in the way our bodies process the GMO foods.  The bottom line is, we do not know the effects or outcomes on human health when it comes to eating GMO foods.  More studies are being done and the potential health effects.  (the fact  Gerber baby foods dropped suppliers who make GMO foods makes a powerful statement)

From the article in The Journal Gazette (Retailer registers nutrition rankings):

The company is being careful not to label foods at the lower end of the 100-point scale as unhealthy, however. And the scores are not definitive. More than 40 nutrition-evaluation programs are available, including one that rates foods from one to four stars, a Meijer dietitian said.

If the labeling service comes directly from the retailer, it is far less likely to be willing to divert shoppers away from foods that aren’t nutritious. Also, without a specific medical condition to respond to, the rating system is a one size fits all, which can’t actually work well, given the thousands of issues that customer may have.

The NuVal system comes from NuVal LLC, a joint venture of Topco Associates LLC and Griffin Hospital. It is one of a number of competitors to the Guiding Stars system being licensed by Hanniford Brothers, a Delhaize company.

From the article:

Here’s how it works: as shoppers enter the supermarket, they scan their loyalty card and pick up a Scan It!-branded Motorola MC17 mobile computer. The mobile computer display presents exclusive special offers and promotions to customers, based on their purchase history and current shopping behavior. The system tracks the shopper’s progress through the aisles and presents money-saving coupons and promotions as the shopper nears those products. Customers select their items, scan them, and bag them in the cart. Purchases are automatically totaled, and the customer can pay for them quickly at a self-checkout station.

Interesting, but a couple of concerns:

• Psychologically, I think I’d hate the idea that this device-thing knows about my shopping habits. It’s a reminder that Big Brother is in the house
• Since it isn’t integrated into your own shopping list, it works more in the favor of the retailer by encouraging impulse purchases
• The screen is small and of limited value in providing guidance: it only highlights savings, not product info

But it is a step along a broader path.

Web-based Independent Services:

Grocery Note – Old school UI, can’t even get registered (inscrutable)

Grocery Whiz – Antique UI, no DB

Zip List - Old school UI; Meager DB; no ingredients/nutritional facts

Knotler – Slightly updated UI; no DB; odd list maker

GrocerList – Antique UI; no DB

• Amongst retailers that are reducing spending, 56 percent are cutting spending on search engine marketing, while only 24 percent will cut their social media marketing budget.
• Amongst retailers that are performing well (“beating expectations” according to the study), 12 of the 20 will increase spending in social media marketing.
• Further, amongst retailers that are increasing budgets, 80 percent will put more money into search, while 65 percent will put more into email marketing.