Hilma is the latest digestive health startup to enter Walmart, as part of the retailer's push to modernize this category.

Analysis

TikTok is pushing brands to post photos instead of videos

April 09, 2024

TikTok is forging ahead on becoming a full-fledged photo platform -- and brands are coming along for the ride. Consumer-facing companies tell Modern Retail how they're using the Carousel feature and whether they'd consider moving to TikTok's rumored new photo app.

DTC Briefing: Why some marketers worry that Meta is ‘broken’

April 02, 2024

Is Meta broken? That's what marketers keep saying on sites like X (formerly known as Twitter) and LinkedIn.

Other news to know

  • TikTok and its parent company ByteDance are suing the U.S. government, alleging that its proposed ban of the platform is unconstitutional.
  • Panera is discontinuing its caffeinated Charged Lemonade drinks at the center of three lawsuits. Panera says the change came from a “recent menu transformation.”
  • Crocs reported better-than-expected earnings for its first quarter, although its Hey Dude brand saw revenue drop 17.2%.
$939M
Crocs' first-quarter revenue
Top Stories May 08

Why item repair is a customer loyalty tool for Neiman Marcus & Filson

May 08, 2024

Neiman Marcus hit its goal of repairing, altering, selling or donating more than 1 million items two years early after marketing its services.

How resale marketplaces safety-check hard goods like car seats & strollers

May 08, 2024

Resale marketplaces like The RealReal and StockX must verify and authenticate shoes, apparel and other soft goods on a daily basis. But for platforms that sell open-box or secondhand hard goods -- many of which have safety risks or expiration dates -- vetting products becomes a more high-stakes game. Here's how eBay, GoodBuy Gear and Kaiyo do so.

DTC Briefing: How promo code leaks are impacting profit margins

May 07, 2024

Small DTC brands continue to have to swallow the cost of leaked promo codes. Some founders have found their own partial solutions, but margins are still being impacted.

Macy’s Inc. to open its fourth Bloomie’s location in New Jersey this fall

May 07, 2024

As lifestyle centers and outdoor shopping plazas take the place of old-school shopping malls anchored by department stores, Bloomie's is an attempt to bring the brand ethos of the legacy department store to new locations and augment existing markets with a scaled-down experience.

Limited Series
The Future of Brand Marketing

The lines between brand and performance marketing are blurring. It's no longer enough to spend millions on a TV campaign and hope people find your brand. In this series, Modern Retail looks into how the wild, expensive world of brand marketing has been upended over the last few years.

Podcasts

Technology

NuFace is betting TikTok Shop can be a destination for luxury shopping 

May 07, 2024

High-end microcurrent tool brand NuFace is hoping to surf the “TikTok Made Me Buy It” wave at a time when luxury retail is few and far between on the platform. On Tuesday, NuFace said it’s releasing an exclusive bundle on TikTok Shop priced at $200, a 40% discount. Will Gen Z buy in?

Amazon is hitting pause on a controversial new fee amid seller outrage

May 03, 2024

Amazon is once again delaying a controversial new seller fee as the e-commerce behemoth looks to appease its hundreds of thousands of merchants after the original announcement sparked outrage among sellers. It’s a sign that Amazon is looking to turbocharge the business as competitors encroach on its turf.

How QR codes help brands meet consumer expectations for sustainability

April 09, 2024

Katherine Ryan, vice president, brand marketing, Bitly From trending resale programs at top brands like Lululemon and REI that make sustainable shopping more accessible to scrutiny over Taylor Swift’s private jet carbon dioxide emissions, demand for sustainable shopping experiences and transparency is at an all-time high. Consumers have more access to information than ever, and […]

Marketing

Women livestreaming herself holding a handbag, popping out of a phone screen surrounded by sunglasses, sunscreen, lipstick, and other beauty products. Illustration is on a navy blue background.

Research Briefing: How top influencers stack up in terms of engagement

May 02, 2024

In this edition of the weekly briefing, we share newly released data from Modern Retail+ Research’s influencer index that focuses on how brands can partner with influencers and best practices. 

Left on Friday volleyball Olympics uniform

Meet the smaller brands designing Olympic uniforms

May 01, 2024

Fashion giants like Nike and Ralph Lauren have long sponsored the Olympics or national teams. Now, more small-scale brands are joining them on the global stage through uniform deals.

Stanley is becoming an accessories brand

May 01, 2024

By virtue of the fact that its water bottles are now a status symbol, Stanley has become an accessories brand — a position that it is further cementing with a new line of bags.

Operations

818 Tequila bottles on a desert landscape

How 818 Tequila’s price reduction helped bump up sales

May 07, 2024

818 Tequila, founded by reality TV star Kendall Jenner, reduced its prices last year in a bid to acquire more customers and grow sales.

The company currently has about 11 SKUs, including its chocolate covered peanut butter, gems and nougat bars.

Why better-for-you candy brand Unreal is expanding to snacks

May 07, 2024

For the first time in its 13-year history, candy brand Unreal has entered a new category: snacks. For Unreal, the goal is to fill a gap in the market while staying close to its roots as a candy brand.

How advertisers are leveraging Roundel’s best practices to maximize retail media spend

March 20, 2024

Renee Doerre, senior director of strategy and enablement, Roundel Creating impactful e-commerce strategies begins and ends with the consumer experience. From websites to apps to in-store experiences and third-party platforms, shoppers can connect with brands at many touchpoints. Consumers want a convenient and personalized shopping experience and advertisers must create lasting ways to capture and […]