Weekend Reading 8/23/24

This week: TikTok advice for retailers, new federal rules on business reviews, a new lotus trend, small business confidence and store formatting ideas.

How 3 brands are using TikTok to drive awareness & sales, Modern Retail

As TikTok continues to be a major powerhouse in retail, brands are fitting the platform to their own needs. Modern Retail shares a closer look at how Cakes Body, Duolingo and Zenni Optical have made TikTok their own, as well as their advice for other brands looking to do the same. Although these aren't horticulture brands, they share ideas that may work for your business on TikTok.

FTC finalizes rule to prohibit sale or purchase of fake reviews, Retail Dive

Review news to be aware of from Retail Dive: The Federal Trade Commission finalized a rule to prohibit businesses from buying reviews or testimonials, whether positive or negative, the suppression of reviews, as well as buying or selling fake indicators of social media influence. It also bans fake reviews written by AI and reviews written by employees of a company without disclosure.

Lotuses Are Trending Right Now—and You Don’t Need a Pond to Grow Them, Better Homes & Gardens

According to Better Homes & Gardens, the gardening community has declared lotuses to be a growing trend this year. The publication shares tips on how to create a lotus garden without a pond.

US small business sentiment near 2-1/2-year high, Reuters

U.S. small-business confidence jumped to the highest level in nearly 2-1/2 years in July, another indication that financial market fears of a recession following last month's increase in the unemployment rate were likely overblown, Reuters reports.

Ace Hardware’s new store format focused on elevating popular brands, Retail Brew

The cooperative hardware chain has unveiled an “experiential” format that aims to drive sales to popular brands, Retail Brew reports. Are you trying anything similar in your stores?

Enjoy your reading, have a great weekend and we'll see you next week!