--- title: Traub Weekly Consumer News // December 20, 2022 description: Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Givenchy partners with Disney, Barnes & Noble plans store expansion, Walmart and CVS limit sales of children's meds, and more.  image: https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SC04_Tokyo_publicity_COMP3-copy.jpg?w=1024 --- [![logo-vert-traub (2)](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/TRAUB_September2019/Image/logo-vert-traub%20(2).png?width=456&height=312&name=logo-vert-traub%20(2).png "logo-vert-traub (2)")](http://traub.io/) - [Who We Are](https://www.traub.io/who-we-are/) - [What We Do](https://www.traub.io/what-we-do/) - [Meet Our Team](https://www.traub.io/our-team/) - [See Our Work](https://www.traub.io/case-studies/) - [Read Our Content](https://www.traub.io/read-our-content/) - [Traub Capital](https://www.traub-capital.com/) # Weekly Consumer News Update // December 20, 2022 By [TRAUB](https://blog.traub.io/blog/author/traub) On December 20, 2022 [![Share on facebook](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/facebook-color.png?width=24&name=facebook-color.png)](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2022-12-20&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook) [![Share on linkedin](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/linkedin-color.png?width=24&name=linkedin-color.png)](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2022-12-20&utm_medium=social&utm_source=linkedin) [![Share on twitter](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/twitter-color.png?width=24&name=twitter-color.png)](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?original_referer=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2022-12-20&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2022-12-20&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Givenchy partners with Disney, Barnes & Noble plans store expansion, Walmart and CVS limit sales of children's meds, and more.  ---  **M&A and INVESTMENTS** - Lanvin Group Raises $150 Million in Public Debut [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/luxury/lanvin-group-raises-150-million-in-public-debut/?utm_source=newsletter_dailydigest&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily_Digest_161222&utm_content=intro) - Beiersdorf Acquires Skin Microbiome Specialist S-Biomedic [WWD](https://wwd.com/beauty-industry-news/beauty-features/beiersdorf-buys-skin-microbiome-specialist-1235451352/) - **Dropbox** buys form management platform FormSwift for **$95M** in cash [TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2022/12/16/dropbox-buys-form-management-platform-formswift-for-95m-in-cash/?cx_testId=6&cx_testVariant=cx_undefined&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s) - **L Catterton** Invests in BloomChic, a One-year-old Plus-size Play [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/financial/l-catterton-bloomchic-plus-sized-china-savage-birkenstock-1235451942/) - **JPMorgan** Buys **$800M** Stake in Viva Wallet [PYMNTS](https://www.pymnts.com/news/point-of-sale/2022/jpmorgan-buys-800m-stake-in-viva-wallet/') - Mike Ashley's Frasers buys JD Sports' premium fashion brands for $58M [Reuters](https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/mike-ashleys-frasers-buys-premium-fashion-brands-retailer-jd-sports-2022-12-16/) - Binance.US to Acquire Bankrupt Voyager's Assets for $1 Billion [Yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/voyager-announces-agreement-binance-us-130000756.html) - VF Corp. Is Mulling JanSport Sale [Barron's](https://www.barrons.com/articles/vf-stock-jansport-sale-51671471166) ## **INDUSTRY NEWS** Olaplex’s ‘Broke My Hair’ Problem Is a TikTok Cautionary Tale The hair care brand pitched investors on social media buzz, but it’s now being plagued by online complaints. The company says its products are safe and effective.[BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/beauty/olaplexs-broke-my-hair-problem-is-a-tiktok-cautionary-tale/)   Supermarkets Offer More Store Brands to Lure Cost-Conscious Shoppers Sales of private-label products, which are typically cheaper than brand-name equivalents, have surged in recent months as shoppers look for ways to economize amid soaring inflation. WSJ   Sports Betting Faces Shakeout, Cooling Investor Enthusiasm Smaller sportsbooks like MaximBet and Fubo Gaming have shut down amid mounting industry challenges. [Bloomberg](http://bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-12-14/maximbet-fubo-gaming-face-shakeout-as-sports-betting-industry-cools?srnd=industries-consumer&leadSource=uverify%20wall)   Web3 has a branding problem. It’s not just semantics As predictions of a metaverse cooldown and bad press around crypto increase, brands are rethinking how NFTs are positioned to ensure they outlive the hype cycle. [Vogue Business](https://www.voguebusiness.com/technology/web3-has-a-branding-problem-its-not-just-semantics)   Why retail keeps turning to Los Angeles The City of Angels — with its various neighborhoods and shopping streets — has risen to the top for many of today’s direct-to-consumer brands. [Retail Dive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/los-angeles-retail-melrose-abbot-kinney/637695/)   ![](https://wwd.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/SC02_Shanghai_Publicity_COMP3-copy.jpg?w=1024) Givenchy Offers New Capsule Collection Recognizing Walt Disney Co.’s 100th Anniversary Givenchy and Disney have teamed for a new capsule collection that features Oswald the Lucky Rabbit, recognizing the Lunar New Year and 100 years of Disney. [WWD](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/sportswear/givenchy-reveals-new-capsule-collection-recognizing-walt-disney-co-s-100th-anniversary-1235450414/)   Verizon Teams Up With Netflix in Push to Become Streaming Middleman Verizon’s +play streaming marketplace allows customers to manage their subscriptions in one place. [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/verizon-teams-up-with-netflix-in-push-to-become-streaming-middleman-11670996399)   World Cup's other winner? Adidas Adidas, the team's longtime sponsor, has now sold out of Argentina jerseys worldwide, with demand especially hot for Lionel Messi shirts. [LinkedIn News](https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/world-cups-other-winner-adidas-5516548/)   Walmart Rolls Out New Text-to-Shop Service Walmart customers have a new way to shop — by text message. The retailer’s new Text to Shop capability launched Dec. 14, 2022, and is available for free on iOS and Android devices. [Retail Touchpoints](https://www.retailtouchpoints.com/topics/digital-commerce/mobile-commerce/walmart-rolls-out-new-text-to-shop-service-sms)   Margaritaville Becomes Major League Pickleball's First-Ever Title Sponsor The hotel and resort chain's sponsorship follows Major League Pickleball’s release of a new league format and expanded roster of teams. [AdAge](https://adage.com/article/marketing-news-strategy/margaritaville-becomes-major-league-pickleballs-first-ever-title-sponsor/2459686)   ![Uber Eats sidewalk robots](https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/a4ksWZF_sk979BIH0bUSllBH8qw=/0x0:1920x1080/2000x1333/filters:focal(960x540:961x541)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24291541/AfterlightImage_9.JPG) Uber Eats will use sidewalk robots to make food deliveries in Miami The robots will deliver items offered by a slate of businesses in Miami-Dade County, with plans to expand into larger areas of the city and some additional markets in 2023. [The Verge](https://www.theverge.com/2022/12/15/23509283/uber-eats-sidewalk-robots-delivery-miami-cartken)   Adults are buying toys for themselves, and it’s the biggest source of growth for the industry There are two things keeping the toy industry afloat right now: inflation and a consumer group known as “kidults", who are responsible for one-fourth of all toy sales annually, around $9 billion worth. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/kidults-biggest-sales-driver-toy-industry.html)   Retailers Rethink In-Store Tech as Shoppers Return After focusing on e-commerce during the pandemic, CIOs are looking to bring a similar seamless payments experience to physical stores. [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/retailers-rethink-in-store-tech-as-shoppers-return-11671233235)   Fortnite maker Epic Games to pay $520 million in fines in FTC settlement The developer settled violations of child privacy laws with the FTC for $520 million dollars after the FTC alleged children were exposed to “dangerous” content, including sexual harassment and bullying. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2022/12/19/epic-games-to-pay-520-million-in-fines-to-ftc.html)   Streaming’s Golden Age Is Suddenly Dimming The never-ending supply of new programming that helped define the streaming era — spawning shows at a breakneck pace but also overwhelming viewers with too many choices — appears to finally be slowing. [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/18/business/media/streaming-tv-shows-canceled.html?action=click&module=Well&pgtype=Homepage§ion=Business)   Chatbot's doomsday scenario for truth The world's response to the oracular artificial intelligence program called ChatGPT started with chuckles but has quickly moved on to shivers. [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2022/12/19/chatgpt-ai-chatbots-doomsday-truth)   Primark Brings Its Bargains to Downtown Brooklyn It's a high-profile step forward in the Dublin-based retailer's bid to operate 60 stores in the U.S. by 2026. [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/primark-opens-in-downtown-brooklyn-1235453026/)   ![Nyx Professional Makeup unveils metaverse experience in Roblox ](https://r.fashionunited.com/Ar5VHWECA1-6mXuNmXSjRlOU-5hZRWwvtluQRe-9HOk/resize:fill-down:360:240:0/gravity:ce/quality:70/aHR0cHM6Ly9mYXNoaW9udW5pdGVkLmNvbS9pbWcvdXBsb2FkLzIwMjIvMTIvMjAvaG91c2Utb2Ytbnl4LWV4dGVyaW9yLXYxLW5xdHE0NWcwLTIwMjItMTItMjAuanBlZw) NYX launches new makeup collection on Roblox The Roblox activation continues a tradition of NYX Professional Makeup surprising its customers with an interactive experience for its spring collection. [Retail Dive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/nyx-professional-makeup-spring-2023-collection-roblox/639120/)   Twitter deletes controversial new policy banning links to other social platforms Twitter deleted its controversial new policy that had banned links to certain other social media platforms, less than 24 hours after the policy’s initial introduction, shortly after company owner Elon Musk launched a Twitter poll asking users whether he should step down as head of the platform. [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/19/tech/twitter-elon-musk-deletes-policy/index.html)   Walgreens, CVS limit sales of children's medications amid 'tripledemic' Walgreens attributed the cap to demand and supplier challenges. [NBC](https://www.nbcnews.com/health/health-news/walgreens-cvs-limit-sales-childrens-medications-tripledemic-rcna62510)   Barnes & Noble Store Expansion Leads Big-Box Real-Estate Revival in 2023 Barnes & Noble plans to grow its fleet by 30 stores next year, the latest sign that big-box retailers are expanding again after years of shrinking their real-estate footprints. [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/barnes-noble-store-expansion-leads-big-box-real-estate-revival-in-2023-11671454054)   How TikTok Became a Diplomatic Crisis A Chinese app conquered the planet — and now the U.S. is threatening to shut it down. Can the world's biggest virality machine survive? [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2022/12/20/magazine/tiktok-us-china-diplomacy.html)   COMINGS & GOINGS - Eva Serrano Named Calvin Klein Global Brand President [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/eva-serrano-calvin-klein-president-pvh-stefan-larsson-1235448831/?cx_testId=5&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=1#cxrecs_s) - Prabal Gurung and Aurora James Elected Vice Chairs of the CFDA [WWD](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/prabal-gurung-and-aurora-james-unanimously-elected-vice-chairs-of-the-cfda-1235448711/) - Raina Falcon Named Senior Vice President of Communications of HBO and HBO Max Content [Variety](https://variety.com/2022/tv/news/raina-falcon-communications-hbo-max-content-1235461444/) - Meta Loses Crucial Metaverse Pioneer Over Creative Disagreement With Mark Zuckerberg [Yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/meta-loses-crucial-metaverse-pioneer-132043540.html) - Divya Mathur Resigns as Chief Merchant at Intermix [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/retail/divya-mathur-steps-down-as-chief-merchant-at-intermix-1235452694/) - Yuga Labs names Activision Blizzard exec Daniel Alegre as new CEO [Yahoo](https://finance.yahoo.com/news/yuga-labs-names-activision-blizzard-exec-daniel-alegre-as-new-ceo-130639297.html) - **Valentino** Taps Daniel Paltridge as CEO for the Americas [WWD](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/valentino-taps-daniel-paltridge-ceo-for-the-americas-1235453135/) - Sotheby’s Ramps Up Digital Offer, Hiring Gareth Jones as CMO [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/sothebys-ramps-up-digital-offer-hires-gareth-jones-as-cmo-1235452854/) - Christine Centenera Appointed Editor-In-Chief of **Vogue Australi**a [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/media/christine-centenera-appointed-editor-in-chief-of-vogue-australia/) **GOOD READS** - The Metaverse Crash Is Exactly the Moment to Take the Metaverse Seriously [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/opinions/technology/the-metaverse-crash-is-exactly-the-moment-to-take-the-metaverse-seriously/) - Amazon Is Ubiquitous. But It Isn't Invincible Anymore [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2022-12-19/amazon-is-ubiquitous-but-it-isn-t-invincible-anymore?srnd=industries-consumer&leadSource=uverify%20wall)   **INSPIRATION** ![IMG_0119](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_0119.jpg?width=320&height=320&name=IMG_0119.jpg)       ### Subscribe Here! 477 Madison Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10022 (646) 723-2990 [info@traub.io](mailto:info@traub.io) ![TRAUB](https://blog.traub.io/hubfs/TRAUB_September2019/Image/traub-logo.png) - [Who We Are](http://traub.io/who-we-are/) - [What We Do](http://traub.io/what-we-do/) - [Meet Our Team](http://traub.io/our-team/) - [See Our Work](http://traub.io/case-studies/) - [Read Our Content](http://traub.io/read-our-content/) - [Traub Capital](https://www.traub-capital.com/) Traub © 2023