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Outside of athleisure, fashion sales were some of the hardest hit during the pandemic. Now, with apparel sales ticking back up again, retailers and brands are looking for ways to stand out in the crowded field -- including those in the kids clothing category. One way online children's boutique Maisonette is approaching this is by launching its third private label.
The line between store and e-commerce retail associates continues to blur. This month, Apple became the first major company to test a "flex" work schedule for its retail associates beyond the pandemic. The tech giant is reportedly allowing the pilot program's participants work both in-store and at-home during the test run.
After a year of vying for shelf space and digital customers, premium beverage companies are strategizing how to retain their newfound customers. Startup brands like Olipop, Sunwink and Swoon are looking for new long-term ways to keep shoppers replenishing as the pandemic winds down.
Thanks to consumers' changing tastes and eating habits, the plant-based trend has been growing for years. The success of brands like Oatly and Beyond Meat helped prove the trend's staying power. Seth Goldman, founder of Honest Tea and new plant-based jerky brand Eat the Change, explains why the pandemic helped further popularize the category.
This summer, several brands are abandoning the traditional showroom and getting on the road. As pop-ups and showrooms return, brands including Cuyana and Maker&Son are bringing their inventory to customers via a showroom-on-wheels concept.
After a record-year of sales for its merchants, Shopify is overhauling its merchant platform, dubbing it Online Store 2.0. In an interview, Vanessa Lee, Shopify’s director of product for storefronts, spoke to Modern Retail about the e-commerce company's updated storefront tools and how it hopes to give brands more room for customization.
These days, brands going viral on TikTok is becoming the norm, leading these brands to build on the buzz by creating challenges or releasing in-demand products. The latest example is Gap, which is re-issuing its recently-viral vintage hoodie and crowdsourcing which new color it will release next.
Despite a record-breaking year helped by online sales, Apple is moving forward with opening more stores this year. The tech giant confirmed that after a nearly a year of relying on e-commerce, it's ready to resume building more physical locations and expand its global footprint.
Just months ago, physical gyms were predicted to be a thing of the past. But as coronavirus cases drop, in-person workouts are making a comeback. As such, fitness chains are rushing to create a hybrid gym model, with some owners doubling down on opening new locations while also keeping some virtual classes.
Sourcing everything from cardboard to aluminum cans is likely to remain a headache for consumer brands. The prices of raw materials are continuing to rise -- meanwhile, brands are also having to pay a premium to expedite their products while ports remain congested. Put together, that means that brands are having to buy further out in order to get enough product, and get creative to keep prices low for customers.
Next month, McDonald's will become the latest fast food chain to introduce a customer rewards program. McDonald's Rewards is meant to help the company continue growing digital orders while gaining customer data, as more fast food chains launch loyalty programs.
Like many homeware brands, Cuisinart experienced a surge in popularity during lockdowns. The consumer demand for its products, especially trendy appliances like air fryers and bread makers, prompted Cuisinart to make some changes to how it works with retailers.
The pandemic ushered in shorter shopping trips, mainly due to pickup and delivery options becoming more popular. With customers rushing in and out of stores, the adjacent spaces like cafes, restaurants and bars have taken a hit. Now, retailers with this type of space are betting on its value to drive traffic.
The future of samples is pre-packed, according to brands experimenting with handing out free products in the coming months. As CPG brands attempt to find and retain customers, some companies are looking to digital and outdoor pop-ups to distribute samples.
Digital alcohol delivery surged during lockdowns, with major players like Drizly and Minibar dominating sales within past year. However, smaller, niche platforms also found success in wooing local merchants. One startup that's offering liquor stores an alternative to big marketplaces is City Hive, which allows small businesses to provide white labeled pickup and delivery fulfillment.
In 2020, Amazon Logistics delivered 4.2 billion parcel shipments, up from 1.9 billion in 2019. It now makes up, by volume, 21% of the parcel shipments in the U.S., behind the USPS (38%) and UPS (24%) but ahead of FedEx for the first time (16%).
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