It’s been another week with far more retail news than there is time in the day. Below, we break down some things you may have missed during the week, and what we’re still thinking about.
From an Evian and Pharrell Williams collab to Adidas turning 75, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Belk teams up with Fanatics
Through a new partnership, Belk customers can now shop a curated selection of Fanatics products on the department store’s website and app. Fanatics, a licensed sports merchandise company, will initially offer NCAA fan gear and will add other leagues in the coming seasons. Orders will be fulfilled and shipped by Fanatics, according to a Tuesday press release from the companies.
"This partnership with Fanatics is a win-win for our customers because it allows us to further expand upon the licensed sports fan gear we already offer, providing even more product categories,” Belk President and Chief Merchandising Officer MaryAnne Morin said in a statement.
Dollar General board adds new member
Dollar General announced that Kamy Scarlett joined Dollar General’s board of directors, effective Monday.
Scarlett is senior executive vice president of human resources, corporate affairs and Best Buy Canada. She will serve on the Dollar General board’s compensation and human capital management committee and the nominating, governance and corporate responsibility committee.
Scarlett joined Best Buy in 2014 and has served as the senior executive vice president of human resources, corporate affairs and Best Buy Canada for Best Buy Co. since 2023. She oversees talent development, health and well-being of the company’s worldwide employee base. With her appointment, Dollar General’s board of directors now consists of 10 total members.
Amazon Warehouse becomes Amazon Resale
Amazon Warehouse was rebranded to Amazon Resale this week. Shoppers can save on discounted items of used, pre-owned or open-box products through Amazon Resale, according to a company announcement.
Customers can browse the company’s resale homepage by category or by conducting a search. Or, items can be identified on a regular product page by looking for a section that says “save with used” or “buy used.” If a resale product is available, customers will be able to see additional details. Prices vary depending on product condition.
Retail therapy
NYX and Gordon Ramsay bake a cake that’ll make you blush
NYX Professional Makeup tapped celebrity chef Gordon Ramsay and his daughter Holly Ramsay for the launch of the beauty brand’s latest product, Buttermelt Blush, per a Wednesday press release.
The chef created a cake recipe for the launch following a TikTok video by his daughter. Holly Ramsay, a beauty and lifestyle content creator, recorded herself baking a cake inspired by the colors of the blush. Ramsay critiqued his daughter’s cake in a cheeky video, dropped his own recipe and challenged other chefs and content creators to attempt the NYX Professional Makeup Buttermelt Blush cake as part of the campaign. Ramsay’s cake recipe is on NYX’s social channels and at nyxcosmetics.com
The Buttermelt Blush is a pressed powder in both soft matte and glowy finishes offering up to 12 hours of pigmented wear. It’s available on the brand’s website, Ulta, Target, Walmart, Walgreens, CVS, J.C. Penney and Amazon.
Pharell’s Humanrace, Evian partner to create tennis capsule
Evian and Pharrell Williams’ company, Humanrace, partnered for an all-gender apparel capsule collection announced Thursday ahead of the U.S. Open. Evian has been the official water for New York's largest tennis tournament for over 30 years.
The tennis-inspired collection is made from 100% natural fibers and manufactured in the U.S. The capsule focuses on “the functional simplicity of the everyday while drawing inspiration from sports and tech,” according to the release.
“Every piece in this line reflects my belief that being well is a lifestyle,” Williams said in a statement. “Water's the essence of life, right? We can't live without it. So it's only natural for Humanrace and Evian to come together for this collaboration. It's all about celebrating what keeps us connected, mindful, and moving.”
Pieces in the collection include a cropped French terry quarter-zip, a drop shoulder T-shirt, an expandable carry-all bag, a cap and a mock-neck top among others.
The collection will be available for purchase exclusively on Humanrace.com for a limited-time and while supplies last starting Aug. 24.
What we’re still thinking about
5,000
That’s the number of people arts and crafts retailer Joann plans to hire ahead of the holidays.
On Tuesday, the company said it plans to host national hiring events in all of its 800-plus stores from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. local time on Sept. 7 and Sept. 21. According to Joann, job perks include a 30% employee discount and flexible work scheduling. In November and December, Joann said it will raise the employee discount to 40%.
“We know customers are shopping earlier than ever for the holidays, looking for great deals and inspiration,” Chief Customer Officer Chris DiTullio said in an announcement.
Joann filed for Chapter 11 on March 18. The process helped the company cancel about $505 million of debt. It exited bankruptcy in late April and through the court-overseen restructuring, managed to avoid any store closure or layoffs through the process.
75
That’s how old Adidas is turning on Sunday. Founder Adi Dassler created the company in 1949 with just 47 employees, according to an emailed press release. The company has since grown to 59,000. Dassler wasn’t always a shoemaker. The founder was originally “a trained baker and passionate sportsman” and made shoes in his mother’s laundry room prior to attending a more formal shoemaking school.
“With great sporting events such as the Olympic Games in Paris, the European Football Championships in Germany and the Copa America in the US, the 2024 year of sports provides a perfect setting for the anniversary,” the company said.
What we’re watching
Athletic disruptors coming for Nike and Lululemon’s market share
With On continuing to post enormous growth numbers, including net sales up 28% in Q2 and a ninefold increase in net income, the threat to Nike’s market share is becoming more real. In a note earlier this week, Jefferies analysts said On’s gains are “clearly coming at the expense of [Nike] where sales are indicated to be down near 10% in the coming quarter.”
Increasing distribution at On has had a “direct and measurable negative impact on [Nike],” the analysts said, while Adidas, New Balance and others are also putting pressure on the activewear giant. The analysts also warned that Lululemon is seeing a similar dynamic as up-and-coming brands eat into its share.
“As Alo & Vuori's brand awareness and store network grow, we only see continued share losses for [Lululemon],” Jefferies’ note reads. “Further, a slowing category, changing fashion trends away from ‘the all-day gym look’, deteriorating China macro, episodic US consumer, fading belt bag fad, and peak fundamentals are additional headwinds to monitor.”
