In the Press | SparkPlug App

Dec 22, 2022

Boomerang Employees: Should You Rehire Them, or is Once Enough?

Boomerangs are often listed as an underused and seldom considered talent pool. This makes them especially valuable in today’s tight labor market.

Dec 12, 2022

How small businesses are navigating the holiday season

With the impact of the pandemic ongoing and inflation adding pressure, neighborhood stores are facing similar challenges as their big-box counterparts.

Nov 29, 2022

80 Top Colorado Cannabis CEOs Reveal Cannabis Industry Insights

What is on the minds of CEOs in the cannabis industry?

Nov 29, 2022

How Ocean State Job Lot is adjusting its work structure to navigate labor challenges

In a challenging labor environment, Ocean State Job Lot is introducing a number of initiatives centered around the well-being and professional growth of its workforce.

Nov 17, 2022

What Does Marketing Look Like Without Third-Party Cookies?

Exploring the challenges of obtaining first-party data and how the cookieless future will impact marketers' relationships with customers.

Nov 14, 2022

Holiday Season 2022

Latest holiday shopping insights, trends, and strategies.

Nov 11, 2022

SparkPlug raises $8 Mn Series A funding led by LightBank

The participating investors include TenOneTen Ventures, Industry Ventures and Elon Musk loyalist Jason Calacanis.

Nov 8, 2022

Top of the Morning

SparkPlug, an SF-based payout automation and sales management platform, raised $8m in Series A funding. Lightbank led, and was joined by Industry Ventures, TenOneTen Ventures ...

Nov 7, 2022

SparkPlug Raises $8M in Series A

SparkPlug, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of an incentive management and wage supplementation platform for frontline workers, raised $8M in Series A funding.

Nov 7, 2022

The Funded: It's not just Twitter. 10 other Bay Area startups and recently public companies cut jobs this week.

SparkPlug funding announcement

Nov 4, 2022

3 top venture investors predict when valuations will bottom—and it might be sooner than you think

When will startup valuations finally hit rock bottom? That’s a question I’ve been asking venture capital investors this week on the sidelines of the Web Summit tech ...

Nov 4, 2022

Six retail technology funding rounds you need to know about

RTIH rounds up the retail systems ventures whose funding rounds have been making headlines of late, including Cover Genius, Dropit, Treet, and SparkPlug.

Nov 4, 2022

SparkPlug lands $8m in Series A haul

SparkPlug, a US-based provider of an incentive management and wage supplementation platform, has bagged $8m in its Series A.

Nov 4, 2022

SparkPlug Raises $8M in Series A Funding

SparkPlug, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of an incentive management and wage supplementation platform for frontline workers, raised $8M in Series A funding.

Nov 4, 2022

SparkPlug Secures $8M to Help Incentivize Frontline Workers

SparkPlug, the leading incentive management and wage supplementation platform for frontline workers, today announced an $8 million Series A funding round.

Nov 4, 2022

Term Sheet

When will startup valuations finally hit rock bottom? That’s a question I’ve been asking venture capital investors this week on the sidelines of the Web Summit tech ...

Nov 4, 2022

This tool aims to unite performance management and talent development

Incentive solution provider SparkPlug secured $8 million in fundraising to grow its platform for managing frontline retail workers.

Nov 4, 2022

What were the biggest funding rounds last week?

SparkPlug lands $8m in Series A haul

Nov 3, 2022

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners.

Led by Lightbank, the latest funding round will fuel the company’s aggressive growth as it aims to become the go-to solution for consumer brands looking to influence ...

Nov 3, 2022

Physical retail startup SparkPlug secures $8 million in Series A funding

SparkPlug, an incentive management and wage supplementation platform for frontline workers, has announced an $8 million Series A funding round.

Nov 3, 2022

Chamberlain Coffee names Red Bull alum as CMO

As Chamberlain Coffee executes plans to be a multichannel brand, it is appointing a CPG veteran as its new chief marketing officer.

Nov 3, 2022

Software startup SparkPlug raises $8 million Series A for retail tools

Andrew Duffy wants to put more money into workers' pockets. To do that, he co-founded SparkPlug, a startup that's developing software for brands and retailers to boost ...

Nov 3, 2022

SparkPlug Raises $8M to Help Businesses Reward Hourly Workers

The Series A round will help SparkPlug expand into new verticals and geographic locations, as well as grow its customer reach.

Nov 3, 2022

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners

SparkPlug, the leading incentive management and wage supplementation platform for frontline workers, today announced an $8 million Series A funding round.

Nov 3, 2022

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners

Led by Lightbank, the latest funding round will fuel the company's aggressive growth as it aims to become the go-to solution for consumer brands looking to influence ...

Nov 2, 2022

How Has Pandemic Thinking Affected VoC?

A look at how the pandemic changed both consumer and business behaviors and how brands are updating their goals.

Oct 13, 2022

With plans to open 14 new stores, Forever 21 plots a comeback strategy

SparkPlug's CEO, Andrew Duffy, shares his thoughts on Forever 21's latest brick-and-mortar expansion with Gabriela Barkho Read more on Modern Retail.

Oct 5, 2022

U.S. Job Openings Fall by 1.1M, a 10% Drop From July

Sparkplug's CEO, Andrew Duffy, shares his thought on hiring goals this holiday season and what it might mean for consumers.

Sep 29, 2022

What’s old is what’s new again’: Why larger retailers are emulating the neighborhood store strategy

Brick-and-mortar retail is hotter than ever. Our CEO, Andrew Duffy, sat down with Maria Monteros of Modern Retail to discuss how larger retailers are taking a ...

Sep 22, 2022

Building Brand Ambassadors: How to Boost CX Through Employee Empowerment

Check out our CEO's new byline in Destination CRM exploring how empowering employees can accelerate the customer experience.

Sep 17, 2022

Labor Hoarding' Might Save You From Layoffs

There's a new workforce phenomenon - labor hoarding. Sparkplug's CEO, Andrew Duffy, explains what it is and why it is happening in a recent interview with Entrepreneur. Read ...

Sep 14, 2022

Inflation Time Bomb – Job Income Isn’t Keeping Up With Rising Prices

Inflation is hurting workers ability to purchase the things they want and need, and paychecks are just not keeping up.

Sep 13, 2022

California bill would force companies to post pay range on job ads

A bill on the desk of both the California and New York Governors' desks would require companies to post pay ranges on their job ads.

Sep 8, 2022

How DTC Brands Can Maintain Brand Reputation as They Transition Into a Traditional Retail Model

A key concern for any DTC business moving in-store is customer experience, specifically related to how customers perceive and interact with a brand. They need to learn from ...

Aug 31, 2022

The Top M&A Targets in Activewear Right Now

Any DTC brand that hopes to succeed in the coming decade needs to figure out how to take advantage of the most cost-effective customer acquisition channel they have: the ...

Aug 30, 2022

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

Andrew Duffy, a labor economics expert, told The Food Institute most young workers have a clear philosophy regarding pay these days.

Aug 29, 2022

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

Some young workers are fed up with waiting two weeks for a paycheck, so employers are looking toward earned-wage access (EWA) in order to pay them faster and increase ...

Aug 23, 2022

How Madewell is Navigating TikTok, Instagram and Youtube

SparkPlug CEO and Co-founder Andrew Duffy recently sat down with The Glossy to share his insight on Madewell's latest ad campaign targeting Gen Z.

Aug 22, 2022

Why The Minimum Wage Should Be Replaced With Stimulus Checks

SparkPlug’s CEO and Co-Founder, Andrew Duffy shared his thoughts with International Business Times on if chronic inflation has made the federal minimum wage irrelevant.

Aug 16, 2022

Allbirds and Warby Parker's Losses are Widening -- Here's How They Plan to Recover

What's in store for DTC retail? After a rough week for many brands reporting their quarterly earnings, SparkPlug's CEO and Co-founder, Andrew Duffy sat down with Daniel ...

Aug 12, 2022

New Wave of Union Activity Hits Our Market. Is More Coming?

After a national wave of unionization amongst chains like Starbucks, Trader Joe's, Amazon, and more, Andrew Duffy, SparkPlug CEO and co-founder, sat down with The Business ...

Aug 9, 2022

Japanese-inspired Discount Stored Miniso and Daiso are Eyeing the U.S Market

SparkPlug’s CEO and Co-Founder, Andrew Duffy, shared his thoughts with Maria Monteros at Modern Retail on the success of retailers riding the rise of Asian media in the U.S, ...

Aug 3, 2022

Next Up in Spirit's Deal, Office Occupancy, Tech Layoffs: The National Observer August 32, 2022

Today's top business news includes what the JetBlue deal means for Spirit and jobs as an indicator of office demand.

Aug 1, 2022

The job market is still hot, but there are some emerging exceptions

CEO and co-founder of SparkPlug, Andrew Duffy, comments on the current state of the job market and what industries are struggling most during the post-covid era.

Jul 28, 2022

How to Know When Layoffs Are Coming — And What to Do About It

SparkPlug’s CEO and Co-Founder, Andrew Duffy, shared his thoughts with The Business of Fashion and Sheena Butler-Young on the warning signs of a company layoff and how you ...

Jul 21, 2022

Businesses Continue To Struggle To Find Employees From Harlem To Hollywood

While COVID-19 has started to slow down, the damages it left on the service industry have not. Businesses of all sizes have struggled to find reliable work in a post pandemic ...

Jul 20, 2022

Businesses Continue To Struggle To Find Employees

Finding reliable employees during and on the downfall of the pandemic has proven to be a difficult challenge, especially for frontline workers.

Jul 11, 2022

How SMBs Can Start Closing the Pay Gap Now

SparkPlug’s CEO and Co-Founder, Andrew Duffy, shared his thoughts with Workest by Zenefits on supplementing employees’ income and accepting and support unionization efforts.

Jul 11, 2022

Invest in Systems to Keep Restaurant Workers Motivated

As The Great Resignation turns into The Great Rehire, restaurants need to find ways to keep their new hires engaged and motivated to prevent them from going the same way as ...

Jul 10, 2022

Strong Job Growth Cannot Hide The Dire Situation Small Businesses Are In

The competitive labor market, while indicative of businesses hiring, fails to include data on workforce retention.

Jul 7, 2022

Top 5 Recession-Proof Jobs - and 4 to Avoid

Recessions have proven that some jobs hold on stronger than others during difficult times. As recession are hard to predict, it is important to take note and be aware of what ...

Jul 7, 2022

What Does it Mean When Big Tech is Laying Off Staff During a Labor Shortage?

As big tech companies like Uber, Netflix, and Meta all have announced hiring-freezes, it is fair to wonder what this means for all other industries and what the future of ...

Jul 1, 2022

Incentives May Solve Your Labor Challenges

I had great success by incentivizing my entire team to strive for maximum performance and guest service.

Jun 29, 2022

Why Restaurants Should Be Supporting Union Efforts, Not Fighting Them

You might say it was my “secret weapon” for over 20 years running restaurants. Now, it’s more important than ever to keep your good people happy and create a culture that ...

Jun 27, 2022

Why Unionization Efforts are Not a Doomsday Event for Restaurants

With in-person dining picking back up and staffing shortages rising, current restaurant workers across the country are pursuing unionization. While some might view this as ...

Jun 27, 2022

How Retail Workers Can Be Leveraged as Effective Brand Influencers

With an influx of brands utilizing social platforms like TikTok and Instagram to promote themselves, it can be hard to stand out from the rest. As consumers are looking for ...

Jun 23, 2022

Why do companies keep bungling layoffs?

Sparkplug’s CEO and founder Andrew Duffy recently sat down with Tony Case of WorkLife to discuss how companies can better handle layoffs in the future.

Jun 23, 2022

The Race to Hire Gen Z is On. These Tips May Help You Win.

When looking to hire the next generation of talent, hiring leaders need to focus on what Gen Z values most: compensation, flexibility, and values.

Jun 8, 2022

Layoffs by tech giants aren't an economic warning bell, experts say

CEO and co-founder of SparkPlug, Andrew Duffy, comments on the current state of the job market and what industries are struggling most during the post-covid era.

Jun 7, 2022

Inflation, Pandemic Causes Americans Pull Back on Tipping in 2022

Americans are tipping less than they were at the beginning of the pandemic, exacerbating the fundamentally flawed impacts of the current tipping system.

Jun 2, 2022

SparkPlug Announces Integration and Collaboration with Square, Launching the First Sales Incentive Tool for Frontline Workers

SparkPlug, the leading employee incentive management platform for frontline workers, today announced a collaboration and integration with Square, the globally trusted ...

May 26, 2022

How QSR Customer Loyalty Programs are Transforming into Digital Experiences.

We believe you can't deliver a winning customer experience without prioritizing your employee experience first.

May 25, 2022

New Hospitality Workplace Survey Reveals Key Motivators, Factors Behind Positive Employee Sentiment

The report reveals nearly 1 in 5 servers find that their hourly wage is "not motivating at all"

May 12, 2022

A+ Ideas for Back to School Promotions

According to the Census Bureau, in-store shopping is back up to pre-pandemic levels with 81 percent of sales taking place in-store and only 13 percent occurring online.

May 4, 2022

Amazon warehouse workers vote against joining union

While tech workers make much more than a factory worker on an absolute basis, they’re making a similarly small proportion of the revenue their employers generate, and unions ...

May 3, 2022

Back to School & Patriotic Procut Essentials

Rising inflation has caused a lot of retailers to worry as they approach Back to School season.

Apr 22, 2022

Starbucks unionization efforts in the Valley and around the US differ from organizing of the past

Is unionization the new wave of America's labor movement? Sparkplug CEO, Andrew Duffy, shares his projections for the future with Brandon Brown of Phoenix Business Journal. ...

Apr 22, 2022

Union efforts are on the rise. Here's what businesses need to know.

In the Covid-19 era, employees have considerable leverage and unionization efforts are on the rise — illustrated by high-profile cases at Starbucks and Amazon. Here's what ...

Apr 18, 2022

Andrew Duffy of SparkPlug on the Labor Shortage & the 5 Things we Must do to Attract & Retain Great Talent

SparkPlug CEO Andrew Duffy shares insights regarding the Labor Shortage as part of Authority Magazine's series "The Labor Shortage & The 5 Things We Must Do To Attract & ...

Apr 13, 2022

Another Wrinkle to Great Resignation 'Ghosting' by Employees

Employers have the power to stop this trend – and simultaneously revitalize their businesses – by treating employees as essential rather than disposable.

Apr 7, 2022

Expert: Amazon Unionization Unlikely to Alter Labor Movement

The rebirth of the labor movement will require one hell of an obstetrician — the federal government. Without moral, legislative and judicial support to protect worker groups, ...

Mar 30, 2022

Nike's Interactive Manufacturing Map is a Poor Example of Corporate Transparency

If market leaders like Nike are struggling to make it happen, it’s a signal to brands everywhere that they need to take serious, practical steps of their own or risk whiffing ...

Feb 11, 2022

How To Optimize Your Influence | Andrew Duffy (SPARKPLUG) Interview | DH133

SparkPlug aims to propel retail businesses and brands through personalized experiences and optimizing their influence.

Nov 17, 2021

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like we Don’t Have Enough Holiday Retail Staff This Year

As brick-and-mortar retailers are flat-out prepping for the holiday shopping season, they’re also facing a diminished workforce to help manage it. Despite supply chain ...

Nov 4, 2021

It's time to give white-collar perks to traditionally blue-collar jobs

Ending the labor shortage could mean offering more. to blue-collar workers, experts say.

Nov 4, 2021

No Retention Without Reward: It's Time to Revolutionize the Way Retail Workers Are Compensated

Nov 1, 2021

Where Are All the Servers? Why Your Restaurant Workers Aren’t Showing Up and How You Can Change That

Oct 21, 2021

Can Someone Cover My Shift? Why Your Servers Aren’t Showing Up and How Employee Rewards Can Change That

Oct 18, 2021

SparkPlug nets $2.5m Seed

SparkPlug, an employee rewards and campaign management platform, has secured $2.5 million in seed funding

Oct 16, 2021

SparkPlug Gets Closer to Improve Frontline Workers Rewards With $2.5 Million In Seed Funding

SparkPlug, a retail technology startup based in San Francisco, has raised $2.5 million in seed funding to change how frontline workers receive incentives for performance.

Oct 15, 2021

Who’s behind blockchain voting at San Francisco’s City Hall?

Oct 15, 2021

The Funded: Reliable Robotics, which is developing pilotless cargo planes, landed $100M to point it toward commercialization

Led by a former engineer at SpaceX and Tesla, Reliable Robotics has already done a 200-mile test flight. Here's more on its new funding round and those of other Bay Area ...

Oct 14, 2021

SparkPlug Raises $2.5M in Funding

SparkPlug, a San Francisco, CA-based provider of an employee rewards and campaign management platform, raised $2.5m in seed funding.

Oct 1, 2021

The Boston Market staff walkout on Thanksgiving could have been prevented: Here’s how

On Boston Market’s busiest day of the year, staff at multiple California locations walked out, leaving customers in a lurch: how do you prevent this from happening?

SparkPlug in the Press

Boomerang Employees: Should You Rehire Them, or is Once Enough?

How small businesses are navigating the holiday season

80 Top Colorado Cannabis CEOs Reveal Cannabis Industry Insights

How Ocean State Job Lot is adjusting its work structure to navigate labor challenges

What Does Marketing Look Like Without Third-Party Cookies?

Holiday Season 2022

SparkPlug raises $8 Mn Series A funding led by LightBank

Top of the Morning

SparkPlug Raises $8M in Series A

The Funded: It's not just Twitter. 10 other Bay Area startups and recently public companies cut jobs this week.

3 top venture investors predict when valuations will bottom—and it might be sooner than you think

Six retail technology funding rounds you need to know about

SparkPlug lands $8m in Series A haul

SparkPlug Raises $8M in Series A Funding

SparkPlug Secures $8M to Help Incentivize Frontline Workers

Term Sheet

This tool aims to unite performance management and talent development

What were the biggest funding rounds last week?

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners.

Physical retail startup SparkPlug secures $8 million in Series A funding

Chamberlain Coffee names Red Bull alum as CMO

Software startup SparkPlug raises $8 million Series A for retail tools

SparkPlug Raises $8M to Help Businesses Reward Hourly Workers

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners

SparkPlug Secures $8M in Series A Funding to Help Frontline Workers Earn Like Owners

How Has Pandemic Thinking Affected VoC?

With plans to open 14 new stores, Forever 21 plots a comeback strategy

U.S. Job Openings Fall by 1.1M, a 10% Drop From July

What’s old is what’s new again’: Why larger retailers are emulating the neighborhood store strategy

Building Brand Ambassadors: How to Boost CX Through Employee Empowerment

Labor Hoarding' Might Save You From Layoffs

Inflation Time Bomb – Job Income Isn’t Keeping Up With Rising Prices

California bill would force companies to post pay range on job ads

How DTC Brands Can Maintain Brand Reputation as They Transition Into a Traditional Retail Model

The Top M&A Targets in Activewear Right Now

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

Amid Labor Shortage, Gen Z Demanding ‘EWA’ Pay

How Madewell is Navigating TikTok, Instagram and Youtube

Why The Minimum Wage Should Be Replaced With Stimulus Checks

Allbirds and Warby Parker's Losses are Widening -- Here's How They Plan to Recover

New Wave of Union Activity Hits Our Market. Is More Coming?

Japanese-inspired Discount Stored Miniso and Daiso are Eyeing the U.S Market

Next Up in Spirit's Deal, Office Occupancy, Tech Layoffs: The National Observer August 32, 2022

The job market is still hot, but there are some emerging exceptions

How to Know When Layoffs Are Coming — And What to Do About It

Businesses Continue To Struggle To Find Employees From Harlem To Hollywood

Businesses Continue To Struggle To Find Employees

How SMBs Can Start Closing the Pay Gap Now

Invest in Systems to Keep Restaurant Workers Motivated

Strong Job Growth Cannot Hide The Dire Situation Small Businesses Are In

Top 5 Recession-Proof Jobs - and 4 to Avoid

What Does it Mean When Big Tech is Laying Off Staff During a Labor Shortage?

Incentives May Solve Your Labor Challenges

Why Restaurants Should Be Supporting Union Efforts, Not Fighting Them

Why Unionization Efforts are Not a Doomsday Event for Restaurants

How Retail Workers Can Be Leveraged as Effective Brand Influencers

Why do companies keep bungling layoffs?

The Race to Hire Gen Z is On. These Tips May Help You Win.

Layoffs by tech giants aren't an economic warning bell, experts say

Inflation, Pandemic Causes Americans Pull Back on Tipping in 2022

SparkPlug Announces Integration and Collaboration with Square, Launching the First Sales Incentive Tool for Frontline Workers

How QSR Customer Loyalty Programs are Transforming into Digital Experiences.

New Hospitality Workplace Survey Reveals Key Motivators, Factors Behind Positive Employee Sentiment

A+ Ideas for Back to School Promotions

Amazon warehouse workers vote against joining union

Back to School & Patriotic Procut Essentials

Starbucks unionization efforts in the Valley and around the US differ from organizing of the past

Union efforts are on the rise. Here's what businesses need to know.

Andrew Duffy of SparkPlug on the Labor Shortage & the 5 Things we Must do to Attract & Retain Great Talent

Another Wrinkle to Great Resignation 'Ghosting' by Employees

Expert: Amazon Unionization Unlikely to Alter Labor Movement

Nike's Interactive Manufacturing Map is a Poor Example of Corporate Transparency

How To Optimize Your Influence | Andrew Duffy (SPARKPLUG) Interview | DH133

It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like we Don’t Have Enough Holiday Retail Staff This Year

It's time to give white-collar perks to traditionally blue-collar jobs

No Retention Without Reward: It's Time to Revolutionize the Way Retail Workers Are Compensated

Where Are All the Servers? Why Your Restaurant Workers Aren’t Showing Up and How You Can Change That

Can Someone Cover My Shift? Why Your Servers Aren’t Showing Up and How Employee Rewards Can Change That

SparkPlug nets $2.5m Seed