"The best marketing tactics aim to establish a retail brand identity that will drive loyalty and customer retention. By gathering data to refine products and services, analyzing consumer feedback to target the right markets and maintaining a consistent presence, brands can establish a meaningful connection with customers to increase their bottom line."

-Sandi Gonzales, vice president of marketing and Insights at the marketing agency Impact Group and a member of the Forbes Communications Council, writing this week on Forbes.com with recommendations for how brands can improve their marketing strategies.