Weekly Consumer News Update // May 9, 2023

Here's our weekly roundup of recent consumer and retail news. This week, Macy’s opens more strip mall stores, Shopify announces layoffs, Puma partners with F1, and more. 

 M&A and INVESTMENTS

• Tempur Sealy to Buy Mattress Firm for About $4 Billion Bloomberg
• Darden Restaurants buys Ruth’s Chris Steak House for $715 million CNBC
• Michelle Pfeiffer’s Henry Rose Gains Series A Investment WWD
• Tiff’s Treats acquired a minority stake in Baked by Melissa Bake
• EBay Ventures invests in sporting goods marketplace SidelineSwap Retail Dive

INDUSTRY NEWS

RETAIL

Fashion rental services are growing amid inflation

Fashion rental services are making the case right now that it’s more cost-effective for people to rent, rather than buy, clothes amid inflation. Modern Retail

Macy’s opens more strip mall stores as expansion strategy faces pivotal test

Macy’s will open five more stores in strip centers, as it shutters more of its giant mall anchors. CNBC

Nordstrom Is Closing San Francisco Stores as Cities’ Retail Pain Grows

Lower levels of foot traffic, perceptions about crime cloud picture for merchants in large cities. WSJ

Shein Adds Third-Party Marketplace in U.S.

Value shopping app Shein is opening up its platform to third-party sellers with the debut of a new global integrated marketplace. Retail Touchpoints

‘We’ve chosen both:’ How Nike aims to connect DTC and wholesale

While the athletics giant has invested heavily in its own digital channels and physical stores, the retailer is also trying to broaden its ecosystem to its wholesale partners. Retail Dive

The race to become the next status laundry detergent is on

In the wake of the downfall of The Laundress, beauty, lifestyle and fragrance brands are clamoring to fill the luxury laundry white space and become the next big name in fancy suds. Fashionista

Lessons From LA’s Hottest Retail Destinations

By carefully curating a selection of emerging retailers, buzzy restaurants and lifestyle offerings, the most popular shopping centres in Los Angeles prove that the mall is alive and well. BoF

This looming recession isn’t stopping us from shopping

"Consumers will always find a way to get around not having money." Fashionista

FARFETCH Launches Reebok Partnership

Following its acquisition of Reebok in 2022, Reebok owner Authentic partnered with FARFETCH to operate its business in Europe, replatform its European e-commerce sites and drive the evolution of the brand by expanding its luxury collaboration offerings globally. Yahoo

The Gorpcore Empire Behind Salomon and Arc’teryx

Amer Sports plans to scale its three largest companies, including tennis racket maker Wilson, into €1 billion sportswear megabrands by cutting back on wholesale and leaning into their fashion appeal, without altering their core product offerings. BoF

Amazon begins selling toys, clothing through mobile games

The e-retailer announced a business-to-business program called Amazon Anywhere allowing video game makers to sell goods directly through their respective platforms. Reuters

Victoria’s Secret Is Rebooting Its Scandal-Plagued Fashion Show as Movie

Victoria’s Secret & Co. will bring its fashion show back as a feature-length film this fall after a four-year hiatus, showcasing artists and designers from around the world. Bloomberg

TECH

Shopify laying off 20 percent of staff, selling logistics division

Shopify said it is cutting 20 percent of its workforce and selling its Flexport logistics business. The layoffs are the online platform provider’s second major round of job cuts this year. CBC

Hulu Live TV adds channels to its lineup, including PBS and Magnolia Network

Hulu Live TV announced Thursday that it is adding new channels to its library, bringing the total to over 90 channels across live sports, news and entertainment. TechCrunch

Peloton to relaunch brand

Peloton will introduce tiered membership to the app-only subscriptions that bring people to Peloton without spending big on a new exercise bike. The Verge

Amazon to Offer Its Original Movies and Films on Other Sites

Amazon MGM Studios Distribution will make the programming available to rent or buy on other services and on airplanes. It will also license the shows to foreign TV networks. Bloomberg

Coach’s AR try-on window will stop shoppers in the street

In partnership with Zero10, Coach’s new AR installation lets window shoppers try on the Tabby bag without stepping foot in-store. Vogue Business

FOOD & BEV

Kraft Heinz wants to remake the TV dinner

Homebake 425°/:30, the company’s new line of frozen meals, has 15 items: five mains, five starchy sides, and five vegetables. CNN

Athletic Brewing heads to the skies through JetBlue partnership

JetBlue becomes the first major U.S. airline to carry a nonalcoholic beer as more people are drinking less alcohol in favor of no- and low-alcohol beer and other spirits. Retail Dive

Restaurants, Food Companies Pursue Budget-Minded Consumers as Inflation Persists

Food purveyors pitch deals, target value as lower-income consumers scale back on restaurant meals and shop more at lower-priced grocers. WSJ

Campari CEO Says Post-Covid ‘Revenge’ Trend Fuels US Consumption

Aperol maker bucking US trend of slower premium drinks demand. Bloomberg

Opposites attract: Hershey aims to disrupt $1.7B sweet and salty category

The food giant, which wants to be the No. 1 branded manufacturer in the space by 2026, is banking on its experience, a portfolio of well-known offerings and the absence of a larger CPG player. Retail Dive

Aldi plans to open 120 new stores this year as the no-frills German grocer doubles down on its US expansion

The expansion will bring the company's store count to 2,400 by the end of 2023. Business Insider 

Absolut and Ocean Spray partner to release RTD cocktail

Ocean Spray is the latest nonalcoholic beverage brand to enter the fast-growing RTD cocktail space through a partnership with an alcohol maker. Retail Dive

Restaurants embrace premium reservations to target big spenders

Popular reservation sites like Resy, OpenTable, and SevenRooms are working with restaurants to maximize profits from diners. CNBC

SPORTS

Puma Reveals Exclusive Deal With Formula 1

Puma is further cementing its place in the global sport by unveiling an exclusive deal with F1 for the 2024 season and beyond. WWD

NBA Looks to Open More Stores Abroad in International Push

League seeks to grow by developing its fanbase abroad. NBA currently has 37 official stores across 12 countries. Bloomberg

COMINGS & GOINGS

• Sephora U.S. Names Zena Srivatsa Arnold Chief Marketing Officer WWD
• Bonpoint Appoints New CEO in America WWD
• Jil Sander appoints new CEO Vogue Business
• Robert Triefus Appointed Stone Island CEO WWD
• Guess taps Hugo Boss alum for CFO seat Retail Dive
• Walmart names insider Latriece Watkins as US merchandising chief Reuters
• Foot Locker brings on Nike, Lululemon veteran to lead WSS Retail Dive
• Andrea Trocino Joins Matches as Chief Product and Technology Officer WWD

GOOD READS

• Why Airfares, Hotels and Cars Are Getting So Expensive for Americans Bloomberg
• The business trend that unites Walmart and Tiffany & Co The Economist
• How Uniqlo Finally Won Over Gen-Z BoF
• Why There May Never Be a Gen-Z Glossier or Warby Parker BoF

INSPIRATION