Pacsun’s CEO on How the Brand Cracked Its Gen Z Strategy
Pacsun’s CEO Brie Olson explained how the retailer reinvented its Gen Z playbook, from an early TikTok Shop rollout to a new Youth Advisory Council and annual Youth Report. The brand also launched a mobile app that serves as a hub for product drops, rewards and personalized content. For the first time in 18 years the company is opening more stores than it is closing, signaling confidence in its refreshed strategy. Olson’s recent book, “Co‑Created,” details the cultural approach that underpins these moves.
Rising Gas Prices May Push More Household Spending Toward Amazon
U.S. gasoline prices have climbed above $4 per gallon, squeezing household budgets and prompting shoppers to cut back on in‑store trips. The shift is driving a measurable rise in online purchases of groceries and everyday essentials, a trend that aligns...
The Everlane-Shein Saga Continues, and What’s Driving the Second Acts From DTC Founders
Everlane’s recent restructuring and Shein’s aggressive market entry have reignited debate over the sustainability of direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) models. The article examines how Everlane’s founder Michael Preysman is pivoting toward a hybrid wholesale‑plus‑online approach, while former DTC founders are launching new...
BNPL Usage Surged During Q1 as Middle-Income Shoppers Increased Adoption
Buy‑now‑pay‑later (BNPL) platforms saw a sharp Q1 surge, with Klarna reporting $33.7 billion in gross merchandise volume (GMV), a 33% year‑over‑year rise, and Affirm posting $11.6 billion, up 35%. Middle‑income households earning $40,000‑$150,000 drove much of the adoption, while Affirm’s “The Big...
Medicube, Crocs Are Betting on TikTok Shop for Discovery E-Commerce
TikTok Shop is positioning itself as the hub of discovery‑driven e‑commerce, linking inspiration to purchase within a single platform. At the April TikTok Shop Summit, brands like K‑beauty leader Medicube and footwear giant Crocs showcased how creator‑led content and nonstop...
Target’s Viral Partnerships with Roller Rabbit, Parke and Pokémon Are Driving Sales and Foot Traffic
Target is accelerating its growth strategy by rolling out limited‑time collaborations with viral brands such as TikTok‑favorite Roller Rabbit, the fast‑growing Parke, and the iconic Pokémon franchise. The Roller Rabbit collection alone generated $6 million in its first hour, while the...
Brands Briefing: Harry’s Turns to a Drop Model for Its Body Wash to Acquire New Customers
Harry’s, best known for its razors, is expanding into personal care with limited‑edition body washes. In January it launched Scent Labs, a drop‑model line that produces 10,000‑20,000 units per scent. The three SKUs—Redacted, Cold Plunge and Greenskeeper—sell for $16‑$18 on...
Everlane’s Sale to Shein Is Another Nail in the Coffin for Millennial DTC Brands
Everlane’s majority owner L Catterton sold the brand to fast‑fashion giant Shein for $100 million, a deal that clears roughly $90 million of debt. The transaction underscores the collapse of the millennial‑focused direct‑to‑consumer (DTC) wave that once dominated online apparel. Similar exits, such...
How FlutterHabit Uses Its 46,000-Member Facebook Group for Product Development
FlutterHabit has turned its 46,000‑member private Facebook group into a real‑time focus group, using members to source campaign talent, test product concepts, and revive retired lash styles. The community‑driven “FlutterHabit Family Edit” collection sold out within a week, prompting rapid...
Why Every Brand Is Now Its Own Media Company, Featuring Prince Street Pizza
Brands are turning into media companies, launching original video series to meet the relentless demand for vertical, viral content. Gap appointed a chief entertainment officer, David’s Bridal debuted “Breaking Bridal,” and New York‑based Prince Street Pizza rolled out the YouTube...
Marketplace Briefing: Why Amazon Discontinued Its AI-Powered Rufus Chatbot for Alexa Shopping Agent
Amazon has retired its Rufus chatbot, replacing it with a new AI assistant called Alexa for Shopping. The rebranded experience is now embedded directly in the Amazon app and website search bar, allowing users to ask natural‑language shopping questions. Alexa...
Modern Retail+ Research: Marketers’ AI Use Rises, but Tech Skills Stall
Modern Retail’s annual survey shows AI adoption among marketers accelerating dramatically, rising from 44% in 2022 to 86% in 2025. While investment in AI tools is now near‑universal, the same respondents report that internal technical expertise has not kept pace....
Unpacked: What Maryland’s Dynamic Pricing Ban Says About the Electronic Shelf Label Debate
Maryland became the first U.S. state to enact a law banning dynamic pricing on tax‑exempt groceries, prohibiting retailers from using personal data to raise prices. The Protection From Predatory Pricing Act, effective Oct. 1, 2026, targets stores of 15,000 sq ft or larger and...
Heineken Shares Its Marketing Strategy for the Summer of Soccer as World Cup Hype Ramps Up
Heineken USA is ramping up its soccer marketing ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup, increasing spend by 189% year over year despite not being an official sponsor. The brewer is rolling out limited‑edition 12‑ and 24‑packs in U.S. retailers...
Hims & Hers to Launch an AI Agent Focused on the Weight-Loss Journey Amid Strategic Shifts Related to GLP-1s
Hims & Hers is rolling out an AI weight‑loss companion to deepen its telehealth offering as it navigates a post‑GLP‑1 boom environment. The company recently introduced Labs AI, an agent that interprets biomarker data for patients, and is expanding its AI...