--- title: Traub Weekly Consumer News // April 18, 2023 description: Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Gucci and Vans launch co-branded Roblox world, Crumbl Cookies divide dessert lovers, and more.  image: https://media.voguebusiness.com/photos/64383a6da13a826242b2d913/master/w_1600%2Cc_limit/GUCCI-ROBLOX-COLLAB-NEW-VOGUEBUS_INLINE_1.jpg --- [![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 // April 18, 2023 By [TRAUB](https://blog.traub.io/blog/author/traub) On April 18, 2023 [![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-2023-04-18&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-2023-04-18&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-2023-04-18&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2023-04-18&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter&source=tweetbutton&text=) [![Share on pinterest](https://cdn2.hubspot.net/hub/3275719/hubfs/hs_marketplace_assets/modules/Social_Sharing/81/pinterest-color.png?width=24&name=pinterest-color.png)](http://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://blog.traub.io/blog/weekly-news-2023-04-18&utm_medium=social&utm_source=pinterest&media=) Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Gucci and Vans launch co-branded Roblox world, Crumbl Cookies divide dessert lovers, and more.  ---  **M&A and INVESTMENTS** - Traub Capital Partners takes Sabatino stake [Axios](https://www.axios.com/pro/retail-deals/2023/04/12/traub-sabatino-second-fund) - MSG Nears Sale of Tao Restaurant Group for About $550M [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-17/mohari-in-talks-to-acquire-hakkasan-owner-from-msg-entertainment?srnd=industries-v2&leadSource=uverify%20wall) - WHP and Express Buying Bonobos from Walmart for $75M [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/financial/bonobos-sold-walmart-whp-express-mens-fashion-1235612404/) - Vox Media Sells News Video Outlet NowThis [The Information](https://www.theinformation.com/briefings/vox-media-sells-news-video-outlet-nowthis?utm_campaign=%5BTI-AM%5D+The+Informat&utm_content=131&utm_medium=email&utm_source=cio&utm_term=32) - Universal Standard acquires plus-size brand Henning [Retail Dive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/universal-standard-acquires-plus-size-brand-henning/647680/) - Sega, Sonic the Hedgehog’s parent to acquire Angry Birds Creator Rovio [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/17/media/angry-birds-rovio-sega-acquisition/index.html) - Lululemon Is Exploring a Sale of Mirror Fitness Unit [Bloomberg](https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-04-17/lululemon-said-to-explore-sale-of-mirror-which-it-bought-in-2020?leadSource=uverify%20wall)   ## **INDUSTRY NEWS** **RETAIL** As resale competition intensifies, Etsy adds bidding option  Because of the growing interest in vintage, Etsy is testing a feature called Make an Offer to capitalize on the market. [Glossy](https://www.glossy.co/fashion/as-resale-competition-intensifies-etsy-adds-bidding-option/)   More than 50K stores may close by 2027 Slowing consumer spending, reduced availability of credit and rising penetration of e-commerce may contribute to the closure of 50,000 retail stores by 2027, according to UBS. [Retail Dive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/50k-stores-may-close-2027-ubs/647392/)   The most-wanted clothing brands at resale are probably hanging in your closet More affordable brands, such as Madewell, Zara, Urban Outfitters, Free People, Anthropologie, Abercrombie & Fitch and Levi’s are now the most popular brands with the best resale value. [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/11/business/resale-popular-clothing-brands-2023/index.html)   Ikea debuts interior design service Ikea has announced the launch of a brand-new program offering professional one-on-one interior design consultations in the United States. [Business of Home](https://businessofhome.com/articles/ikea-debuts-interior-design-service)   Gucci and Vans launch first co-branded Roblox world The brands are teaming up to expand their reach with games and digital goods. [Vogue Business](https://www.voguebusiness.com/technology/gucci-and-vans-launch-first-co-branded-roblox-world)   Behind Dyson’s ‘connected’ omnichannel strategy across home and beauty Early steps to improve operations and jazz up its marketing are already boosting sales and customer satisfaction. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/14/burger-kings-turnaround-plan-boosts-sales-customer-satisfaction.html)   Retail sales declined in March as consumers cut back spending Consumers pulled back on spending at retail stores for the second straight month, causing retail sales to fall 1% in March, the Commerce Department said on Friday. [Axios](https://www.axios.com/2023/04/14/consumer-retail-sales-march)   David’s Bridal will lay off more than 9,000 ahead of potential sale Just four years after emerging from bankruptcy, the company has begun a "sale process" and is parting with the vast majority of its workforce. [Philadelphia Inquirer](https://www.inquirer.com/business/retail/davids-bridal-layoffs-bankruptcy-sale-conshohocken-20230414.html)   Lululemon used tiny organisms instead of fossil fuels to make the nylon for its new shirt The shirts are the result of a partnership born from Lululemon’s equity investment in the biotech company Geno. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/18/lululemon-shirt-made-with-biomanufacturing-not-fossil-fuels.html)     **MARKETING** AI Marketing Stunts Are Here. Is Fashion Ready? The fast-evolving technology has helped people from outside the industry score some of the biggest fashion moments over the past several weeks, including the video mashups of Balenciaga with Harry Potter and various other film and TV series. [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/technology/ai-marketing-stunts-are-here-is-fashion-ready/)   Bud Light’s inclusive ad campaigns are good for business, experts say According to the VP of Marketing, the way to encourage young people to drink more Bud Light was to “evolve and elevate” the brand by focusing on inclusivity. [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/12/business/bud-light-dylan-mulvaney/index.html)   As budgets tighten, brands are shifting their marketing focus to LTV and loyalty Brands are shifting their marketing mix, leaning less heavily on broad top-of-funnel brand building and customer acquisition and focusing instead on measurable performance marketing and increasing LTV. [Glossy](https://www.glossy.co/fashion/as-budgets-tighten-brands-are-shifting-their-marketing-focus-to-ltv-and-loyalty/)     **TECH** Inside Babylist’s emerging technology strategy Baby registry business Babylist is increasingly betting on emerging technology as it expands its services and products for expectant families. Modern Retail   Warner Bros. Discovery unveils new flagship streaming service, ‘Max’ Warner Bros. Discovery is combining HBO Max and Discovery+ content to form a new streaming service. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/warner-bros-discovery-unveils-new-flagship-streaming-service-max.html)   Twitter partners with eToro to let users trade stocks, crypto as Musk pushes app into finance Musk has made it his mission to turn Twitter into a so-called “super app” that offers users financial services on top of social media. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/13/twitter-to-let-users-access-stocks-crypto-via-etoro-in-finance-push.html)   Amazon is ‘investing heavily’ in the technology behind ChatGPT Amazon wants investors to know it won’t be left behind in the latest Big Tech arms race over artificial intelligence. [CNN](https://www.cnn.com/2023/04/13/tech/amazon-ai-andy-jassy/index.html)   Nike Has a Plan to Take Digital Goods Mainstream. Just Don’t Call Them NFTs. The sneaker giant is launching its first big collection of digital goods under its own name after signing up more than 330,000 members to its new web3 platform, .Swoosh. [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/articles/technology/nike-has-a-plan-to-take-digital-goods-mainstream-just-dont-call-them-nfts/)     **FOOD & BEV** ![](https://www.modernretail.co/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2023/04/201211_Cann_SoberJanuary-0151_v1-10.00.06-AM.jpg?w=1280&h=640&crop=1) With the market heating up, cannabis beverage brand Cann launches in New York Cann is now looking to build on that momentum by launching in NY; state residents can now purchase Cann via direct-to-consumer and at retailers. [Modern Retail](https://www.modernretail.co/operations/with-the-market-heating-up-cannabis-beverage-brand-cann-launches-in-new-york/)   Gourmet Dog Food Has Pet Owners Sending Kibbles Back Dog ownership surged during the pandemic. So did the options for fresh, human-grade dog food, an expanding market. [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/12/business/human-grade-dog-food.html)   Restaurant prices are rising faster than grocery prices for the first time since inflation ran hot Restaurant prices outpaced grocery prices on a 12-month basis for the first time since inflation started accelerating in mid-2021. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/12/march-restaurant-prices-outpace-grocery-prices.html)   Burger King is selling more Whoppers than ever before in early days of its U.S. turnaround Early steps to improve operations and jazz up its marketing are already boosting sales and customer satisfaction. [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/14/burger-kings-turnaround-plan-boosts-sales-customer-satisfaction.html?__source=twitter%7Cmain)   Are Crumbl Cookies the Best or the Worst? It Doesn’t Matter. The fastest-growing dessert chain in the United States has sweets lovers divided. But the debate is great for business. [NYT](https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/dining/crumbl-cookies.html?)   Legal pot sales eclipse sales of chocolate in the US as Americans reach for joints and berry edibles instead Legal pot sales could top $33 billion this year – more than chocolate and craft beer combined. [Business Insider](https://www.businessinsider.com/legal-cannabis-retail-sales-eclipse-chocolate-sales-in-us-2023-4)   Coca-Cola’s Topo Chico Sabores launch aims to broaden reach for mineral water brand The new premium sparkling products made with fruit juice and herbal extracts accelerate efforts by the beverage giant to expand distribution and usage occasions for the fast-growing offering. [Food Dive](https://www.fooddive.com/news/coca-colas-topo-chico-sabores-launch-aims-to-broaden-reach-for-mineral-wat/644311/)     COMINGS & GOINGS - Tim Kilpin Appointed Hasbro President, Toy, Licensing & Entertainment [Business Wire](https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20230412005569/en/Hasbro-Announces-Executive-Leadership-Team-Appointments) - Gretchen Weimer Joins Kizik as Chief Merchandising Officer [WWD](https://wwd.com/accessories-news/footwear/gretchen-weimer-kizik-chief-merchandising-officer-hands-free-footwear-1235610482/) - TJ Adeshola has stepped down as Twitter's head of global content partnerships [Sportico](https://www.sportico.com/personalities/executives/2023/twitter-sports-executive-tj-resign-1234719362/) - Forma Brands Names New Leadership [Bo](https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/beauty/forma-brands-names-new-leadership/?utm_source=newsletter_beauty&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Beauty_130423&utm_term=FYGCMPVFOJF2DH4OORWWQWFERM&utm_content=top_story_2_title) - Rent the Runway's Longtime CFO to Depart [MarketWatch](https://www.marketwatch.com/story/rent-the-runway-s-longtime-cfo-to-depart-afbf5ad) - Walmart’s chief merchandising officer to depart [CNBC](https://www.cnbc.com/2023/04/14/walmart-chief-merchandising-officer-charles-redfield-stepping-down.html) - Hasbro hires Harley-Davidson CFO [Retail Dive](https://www.retaildive.com/news/harley-davidson-cfo-take-hasbros-helm/647682/) - Robert Triefus to Exit **Gucci** [WWD](https://wwd.com/fashion-news/fashion-scoops/robert-triefus-exit-gucci-metaverse-1235613474/?cx_testId=5&cx_testVariant=cx_1&cx_artPos=0#cxrecs_s) - Nilly Foster Named Zegna Brand President and CEO of North American Region [WWD](https://wwd.com/business-news/human-resources/nilly-foster-zegna-president-ceo-north-american-region-1235613842/) - PrettyLittleThing Founder Umar Kamani Steps Down as CEO [BoF](https://www.businessoffashion.com/news/retail/prettylittlething-founder-umar-kamani-steps-down-as-ceo/) **GOOD READS** - People Are Sick and Tired of All Their Subscriptions [WSJ](https://www.wsj.com/articles/people-are-sick-and-tired-of-all-their-subscriptions-cbee7e03?mod=business_lead_pos4) - Why Amazon Should Worry About Walmart’s Site Redesign [Forbes](https://www.forbes.com/sites/retailwire/2023/04/13/why-amazon-should-worry-about-walmarts-site-redesign/?sh=64575ba36327) - Should fashion retailers still be launching resale platforms? [Retail Brew](https://www.retailbrew.com/stories/2023/04/18/should-fashion-retailers-still-be-launching-resale-platforms)   **INSPIRATION** ![IMG_9174](https://blog.traub.io/hs-fs/hubfs/IMG_9174.jpg?width=320&height=320&name=IMG_9174.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