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 Peloton’s partnership with Nordstrom to Dolly Parton’s collab with Kendra Scott, here’s our closeout for the week.
What you may have missed
Nuuly goes thrifting
Clothing subscription brand Nuuly recently launched The Thrift Shop, a perk that allows subscribers to purchase styles for discounts at over 60% off. Selections are final sale and ship for free in subscribers’ Nuuly boxes. Items are purchased as-is, but all garments in The Thrift Shop are in good condition, according to a company spokesperson.
The venture allows Nuuly a channel for inventory that is at the end of its life in the company’s assortment.
Nordstrom works out with Peloton
Nordstrom will sell Peloton apparel on the department store’s digital marketplace starting later this month. Products will not be available in Nordstrom or Nordstrom Rack stores at this time.
Nordstrom introduced its digital marketplace this spring after the company stated it would enhance its e-commerce business. Marketplace brand partners are carefully selected “to ensure that our marketplace experience drives the relevance and inspiration that Nordstrom customers expect from us,” Miguel Almeida, Nordstrom’s president of digital and customer experience, said at the time.
Dolly Parton gets a Kendra Scott collection
Kendra Scott and Dolly Parton debuted an exclusive collection based on the artist’s 1974 hit, “Love is Like a Butterfly.” Among other items, the collection features the limited-edition Dolly Parton x Kendra Scott 1974 butterfly statement necklace, of which the company created exactly 1,974.
The collection launched Wednesday on the Kendra Scott website and marks the beginning of a multi-year partnership. Select Kendra Scott stores will host launch events for the collection with “elevated shopping experiences,” per the release.
“It's hard to put into words what Dolly Parton means to me. She's the ultimate role model: a prime example of staying true to yourself, believing in the power of art and creativity, and giving back along the way,” founder and Chief Creative Officer Kendra Scott said in a statement. “This collection captures that beautifully and I'm so proud for fans to explore a jewelry collection that can live up to the absolutely singular Dolly Parton.”
Retail Therapy
Chewy Claus aims to find homes for shelter pets across the country
Chewy this week announced the return of Chewy Claus, a program that allows pet owners to send in letters with their pets’ wish lists. For each letter received, the online pet retailer said it would donate one pound of food to one of its non-profit partners (up to 600,000 pounds). Pet parents can also forgo a holiday gift to have Chewy donate an additional pound of food.
This year, Chewy is partnering with Best Friends Animal Society to provide free pet adoptions at participating shelter and rescue partners across the country from Nov. 29 to Dec. 1.
“Chewy Claus is dedicated to spreading joy during the happiest time of the year,” Orlena Yeung, chief brand officer at Chewy, said in a statement. “When we received thousands of letters from pets asking for homes, we knew we had to help. There’s no better way to celebrate the season than by uniting pets with loving families —whether they’re first-time pet parents or welcoming a furry friend back home.”
Snoop Dogg launches Lovechild
Entertainment icon and entrepreneur Snoop Dogg on Wednesday announced a fine jewelry collection, Lovechild. In partnership with Metal Alchemist and Gamma, the line was made available online for presale upon launch and will exclusively enter retail at Reeds and Reed’s online starting Dec. 6. The line's rings, chains and bracelets come in gold, gold vermeil and sterling silver metals.
“I don't wear pieces that don't represent who I am,” Snoop Dogg said in a statement. “Everything has to connect. I wanted to have a brand that could speak to every element of who I am, and (Lovechild) aligns with my role as a peace messenger — showing the world what it looks like when you move in peace.”
What we’re still thinking about
20%
That’s the level of customer growth JD.com saw for Singles Day this year, per a company press release on the event. Both JD and Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba Group were quiet about actual revenue numbers, though Alibaba noted it saw “robust growth in Gross Merchandise Volume” and a “record number of active buyers” at Taobao and Tmall Group during the event.
Orders from JD.com’s livestreams increased nearly fourfold and transaction volume from over 30,000 small- and medium-sized businesses was up 200%, the company said. Alibaba said that a total of 589 brands on its platforms surpassed 100 million Chinese Yuan (about $13.8 million) in gross merchandise value for the event, a record for the company, and up from 402 that achieved the same milestone last year.
17 hours
That’s how long Target stores will be open each day for the holiday season. From Nov. 30 to Dec. 23, the mass merchant has extended its store hours to be open from 7 a.m. to midnight. And on Black Friday, stores will be open even earlier at 6 a.m. local time, according to a company press release.
"Target is the place to be on Black Friday — and all season long — with incredible deals on thousands of items across every category and exclusive in-store items you'll want to pick up for everyone on your gift list this year," Mark Schindele, chief stores officer at Target, said in a statement. "With extended store hours, convenient same-day pickup and delivery options and around-the-clock online availability, you can choose when, where and how to shop, and our fantastic team will be there to deliver."
Like prior years, Target will be closed on Thanksgiving Day, but promoted its fulfillment services, like Drive Up and same-day delivery, for customers to take advantage of on Nov. 27.
What we’re watching
FTC challenges end one deal, delay another
Challenges from the Federal Trade Commission prompted two luxury goods retailers to call off merger plans, and the agency’s actions are delaying the acquisition plans of two other companies.
Tapestry and Capri Holdings said Thursday they have terminated their merger agreement. Tapestry said that the decision is in the best interest of both companies, “as the outcome of the legal process is uncertain and unlikely to be resolved” by a February deadline.
The companies first announced the deal in August 2023. Tapestry had agreed to buy Capri for $8.5 billion. The deal would have put Tapestry’s Coach, Stuart Weitzman and Kate Spade banners under the same roof as Capri’s Versace, Jimmy Choo and Michael Kors.
But the FTC sued Tapestry in April, alleging antitrust violations. Had the deal gone through, Tapestry would have become one of the largest luxury conglomerates in the U.S.
Meanwhile, legal challenges continue to delay mattress maker Tempur Sealy’s planned acquisition of Mattress Firm. The companies first announced their proposed $4 billion deal last year.
The FTC in July voted unanimously to block the deal, alleging it would create a mattress manufacturing and retail monopoly. Tempur Sealy, sued the FTC in October, seeking to block the agency’s administrative proceedings that could derail the acquisition.
